AXIOS (Sara Fischer) - Judge orders Nexstar-Tegna to pause merger
A U.S. district judge on Friday issued a preliminary injunction requiring Nexstar and Tegna to remain separate, despite closing their $6.2 billion megamerger last month. Why it matters: The ruling significantly dampens the consolidation outlook for the entire local broadcast industry. Zoom in: In a lengthy decision, District Judge Troy Nunley said the court agrees with DirecTV that the merger would force national pay-TV providers like DirecTV to lift their prices on consumers, causing "irreparable harm." - He also said the plaintiffs' argument that the deal will reduce competition in dozens of markets was likely to prevail in court. Between the lines: The preliminary injunction follows Nunley's decision to grant a temporary…
A U.S. district judge on Friday issued a preliminary injunction requiring Nexstar and Tegna to remain separate, despite closing their $6.2 billion megamerger last month. Why it matters: The ruling significantly dampens the consolidation outlook for the entire local broadcast industry. Zoom in: In a lengthy decision, District Judge Troy Nunley said the court agrees with DirecTV that the merger would force national pay-TV providers like DirecTV to lift their prices on consumers, causing "irreparable harm." - He also said the plaintiffs' argument that the deal will reduce competition in dozens of markets was likely to prevail in court. Between the lines: The preliminary injunction follows Nunley's decision to grant a temporary…Open