Antitrust Alarm: Nexstar-Tegna Deal Under Scrutiny

A U.S. judge has ordered Nexstar to keep Tegna's assets separate while reviewing a $3.54 billion acquisition. The move comes after DirecTV's antitrust lawsuit, warning the deal might increase consumer costs, decrease local competition, and cause newsroom closures. Authorities approved the acquisition on March 19.

A U.S. judge has temporarily blocked the merger of Nexstar and Tegna, ordering the companies to keep their assets separate amid antitrust concerns.

The $3.54 billion deal, already approved by the Justice Department and FCC in March, is now subject to scrutiny following a lawsuit from DirecTV.

The lawsuit claims the merger would raise consumer costs, decrease local competition, close newsrooms, and lead to more frequent sports blackouts.

(With inputs from agencies.)