Nexstar and TEGNA antitrust injunction hearing scheduled by appeals court

A federal appeals court in California has scheduled oral arguments for November 17 to address an injunction involving Nexstar Media Group and its acquisition of TEGNA. The hearing will take place at the U.S. Court of Appeals in Pasadena.

The injunction, issued by a federal judge in April, requires Nexstar and its subsidiary TEGNA to maintain separate operations while an antitrust lawsuit proceeds. The legal challenge is being led by a coalition of state attorneys general, headed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside DIRECTV.

DIRECTV and the attorneys general seek to uphold the injunction, arguing the $6.2 billion merger violates federal laws regarding broadcast license ownership. Specifically, the plaintiffs contend the deal could result in one entity controlling broadcast licenses reaching more than 39 percent of the American viewing audience. Nexstar and TEGNA are seeking to nullify the requirement to operate separately.