A federal judge on April 17 temporarily blocked Nexstar’s $6.2 billion acquisition of local broadcast station owner Tegna amid antitrust challenges from eight states.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley in Sacramento issued a preliminary injunction, finding that plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their claims that the merger would reduce competition in local television markets and make it difficult for distributors like DirecTV to reject Nexstar’s demands for higher prices.
Nexstar said in a statement that it intends to appeal the ruling.
“Nexstar Media Group now owns TEGNA and has taken steps consistent with the Court order that has been in effect,” the company said. “We will appeal today’s decision and look forward to presenting our case on its merits before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.”…