There is Nothing Stopping the Nexstar/Tegna Deal Now

A major hurdle has vanished for the six-point-two billion dollar merger between Nexstar and TEGNA. DOJ Antitrust Chief Abigail Slater resigned Thursday after reported clashes with Trump administration leadership.

This is a decisive development for broadcast consolidation. Slater’s team was the primary regulator scrutinizing the deal, specifically concerned that the merger would give Nexstar three or more stations in nearly two dozen markets.

With Slater out and the administration signaling support for the deal, industry analysts believe the path to approval is now clear, with little to no resistance expected from the Justice Department moving forward.

With President Trump already a vocal supporter of the acquisition, the internal opposition has been effectively neutralized. While questions remain regarding the FCC’s national ownership cap (39%), the DOJ’s aggressive antitrust enforcement against this deal is effectively over.