WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission has opened a docket for comments on Nexstar Media Group’s proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna and set deadlines for comments.
Nexstar said the combined company would serve 54.5% of the national audience, which means it would need a waiver of the National Television Multiple Ownership Rule that limits a station group’s reach to 39% of the national television audience.
It is also seeking a waiver of rules that prevent it from owning more than two full-power stations in 23 markets.
On Dec. 1, the FCC began accepting filing applications at MB Docket No. 25-331 on the proposed transfer of all outstanding equity interests in Tegna, the parent company of 64 full-power television stations, one AM radio station, one FM radio station and other related FCC licenses, to Nexstar Media Inc.
The FCC said that any petition to deny filings must be received by Dec. 31. Opposition filings must be submitted by Jan. 15, 2026, and reply filings by Jan. 26, 2026.
The FCC noted the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Zimmer Radio of Mid-Missouri, Inc. v. FCC, which vacated and remanded its Top-Four Prohibition, the portion of the Local Television Ownership Rule prohibiting common ownership of two of the four highest-rated stations in the same Nielsen Designated Market Area, subject to certain exceptions.
In that ruling, the court also vacated an amendment to Note 11 of 47 CFR § 73.3555 that included multicast and low-power television streams in the Top-Four Prohibition. As a result, the remaining portion of the commission’s Local Television Ownership Rule 47 CFR § 73.3555(b) now permits common ownership of two television stations in a single DMA without restriction.
Even so, Nexstar is seeking a waiver of the FCC’s Local Television Ownership Rule for the 23 DMAs where it would own more than two full-power television stations.
The FCC also reported that its National Television Multiple Ownership Rule prohibits a single entity from owning television stations that, in the aggregate, reach more than 39% of all U.S. television households, accounting for a 50% discount to UHF stations.
Because the combined companies would serve 54.5% of the national audience, Nexstar is seeking a waiver of the National Television Multiple Ownership Rule.
More information is available here.
