Attorneys general in eight states file lawsuit to block proposed merger between Tegna and Nexstar

(NBC, KYMA) - Eight states have filed a lawsuit seeking to block the proposed merger between media giants Tegna and Nexstar.

The attorneys general of New York, California, Illinois, Colorado, Oregon, North Carolina, Connecticut and Virginia filed the suit late Wednesday.

They argue the $6.2 billion deal violates federal antitrust laws

If the deal goes forward, the attorneys general say it will lead to less competition in local news and increased costs for consumers.

"If Nexstar the largest local TV broadcast group in the country, acquires Tegna, the fourth largest group in the country. So this is a proposed merger of number one and number four. This combined company would reach 265 TV stations across 44 states, and Washington, DC, here in California, Nexstar would own half of the big four stations in the Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto area and in the San Diego area, the Big Four meaning ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC in Sacramento, where Nexstar already owns the local Fox station, it would now also own the local ABC station in San Diego. Nexstar would own the fox and CBS local stations across the nation. This $6.2 billion merger would create a broadcasting behemoth, putting control of more broadcast programming in the hands of fewer people. The deal is illegal under the Clayton Act, a federal law which prohibits mergers that substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly. Mega mergers and broadcast media are especially dangerous because they result in fewer voices reporting on what's happening in our communities.

Despite all the facts I just laid out in early February, President Trump tweeted, get that deal done. In Trump's words, he wants to knock out the fake news, and because our president makes policy decisions by social media, his FCC Chairman Brendan Carr immediately posted in response, let's get it done. Chairman Carr later confirmed in a press conference that the deal would move forward by urging this unlawful deal through Trump is yet again, making it clear that he's more concerned with protecting greedy corporate interests than defending consumers, protecting a competitive economy or making life more affordable for American families, yet again, making it clear that he has little regard for our laws or the powers of his congressional counterparts, yet again, showing the lengths he'll go to silence news coverage that does anything but fan his ego."

Rob Bonta, California Attorney General

The proposed merger would also require the FCC to change it's rule that bars any single company from reaching more than 39% of U.S. households.

A Nexstar-Tegna combined company would reach nearly 60% of U.S. households.