Judge temporarily halts Nexstar-TEGNA merger  

A federal judge in California on Friday temporarily blocked a merger between broadcasters Nexstar and TEGNA that has been challenged by DirectTV and a group of attorneys general. 

As part of his ruling, which came late Friday, Judge Troy L. Nunley ordered Nexstar to cease combining its operations with TEGNA until future legal proceedings play out.  

In a statement, Nexstar said it plans to appeal Nunley’s ruling.  

“This transaction closed more than four weeks ago following receipt of all required regulatory approvals from the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. Nexstar Media Group now owns TEGNA and has taken steps consistent with the Court order that has been in effect,” a spokesperson for the company said.

“For nearly thirty years, Nexstar has provided free over-the-air access to all its broadcast stations — local news, weather, and community-focused programming alongside major network programming,” they added.

Calling the transaction “pro-competitive,” Nexstar said the deal will “make local stations stronger and support continued........

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