Judge Extends Temporary Order Halting Nexstar-Tegna Merger

The $5.4 billion deal remains in limbo as the court weighs a preliminary injunction.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:12am

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of legal documents, a gavel, and a scale of justice, conceptually representing the abstract corporate strategy and legal battles surrounding a major media merger.A legal battle over media consolidation exposes the high-stakes corporate maneuvering behind the scenes of the local TV news industry.Washington Today

A U.S. federal judge has extended a temporary order freezing Nexstar Media Group's proposed $5.4 billion acquisition of rival broadcast station owner Tegna Inc. for another week. The judge is still deciding whether to issue a preliminary injunction that would further delay or potentially block the merger.

Why it matters

The Nexstar-Tegna deal would create one of the largest TV station groups in the country, combining two of the top broadcast companies. However, the proposed merger has faced scrutiny from regulators and consumer advocates who are concerned about the impact on media consolidation and local news coverage.

The details

The temporary restraining order was first issued on April 6th after the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit seeking to block the merger. The DOJ argued the deal would give Nexstar too much market power and reduce competition in local TV news. The judge has now extended the temporary freeze for another week as he weighs whether to grant a preliminary injunction that could further delay or potentially derail the transaction.

  • The temporary restraining order was first issued on April 6, 2026.
  • The judge has now extended the temporary freeze for another week as of April 13, 2026.

The players

Nexstar Media Group

A major U.S. broadcast television and digital media company that owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other services to 199 television stations and related digital multicast signals reaching 116 markets or approximately 39% of all U.S. television households.

Tegna Inc.

One of the largest owners of top 4 network affiliates in the largest U.S. markets, owning or operating 64 television stations across 51 markets.

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency responsible for enforcing antitrust laws and challenging mergers and acquisitions that may substantially lessen competition.

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What’s next

The judge is expected to rule on whether to grant a preliminary injunction blocking the merger within the next week.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of media consolidation and the DOJ's efforts to preserve competition in the local TV news market, which plays a vital role in informing the public. The outcome could set an important precedent for future broadcast station mergers.