Nexstar

The motion asks for a temporary restraining order to halt integration and consolidation of the two companies

They are calling on the FCC to stay its recent approval of the deal pending a ruling on the application

Merger, valued at more than $6..2B gives Nexstar control of 265 stations nationwide

The federal anti-trust suit alleges that the deal will drive up consumer costs, reduce local competition, shutter local newsrooms and lead to more retrans blackouts

The merger would increase costs for consumers and “consolidate newsrooms of previously separate Big 4 stations, degrading the content and quality of local news broadcasts” the lawsuit alleged

The study filed with the FCC found that in `the majority of duopolies, triopolies, and quadropolies’ station groups offered `essentially the same local news’

Nexstar spent $3.2 million lobbying the FCC in 2025 on various issues while Sinclair spent $800,000, according a new report from OpenSecrets

FCC Chair Carr posted social media comments saying `Trump is exactly right.’

The rural broadband association argued deal would produce higher retrans fees that will have a “severe and worsening impact” on rural communities

Public interest groups, labor unions and civil rights organizations sent a letter backing Free Press FCC filing opposing the deal