Nexstar-Tribune Settles With Justice Department Over Merger, Requires Divestiture Of TV Stations In 13 Markets

Spinoffs

The DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE has settled with NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP INC. and TRIBUNE MEDIA and will approve their $6.4 billion merger subject to divestitures of TV stations in 13 markets. The settlement of the DOJ's civil antitrust lawsuit follows the spinoff of several television stations to TEGNA, SCRIPPS, and CIRCLE CITY BROADCASTING. NEXSTAR has filed to acquire TRIBUNE's sole radio property, News-Talk WGN-A/CHICAGO, as part of the overall deal and has not disclosed its plans for the station.

“Without the required divestitures, NEXSTAR’s merger with TRIBUNE threatens significant competitive harm to cable and satellite TV subscribers and small businesses,” said Antitrust Division Assistant Attorney General MAKAN DELRAHIM. “I am pleased, however, that we have been able to reach a resolution of the Division’s concerns, thanks in part to the parties’ commitment to engage in good faith settlement talks from the outset of our investigation.”

The divestitures ordered by the DOJ are in QUAD CITIES, IA-IL; DES MOINES; FORT SMITH, AR; GRAND RAPIDS-KALAMAZOO; HARRISBURG-YORK-LANCASTER; HARTFORD-NEW HAVEN; HUNTSVILLE-DECATUR, AL; INDIANAPOLIS; MEMPHIS; NORFOLK-PORTSMOUTH; RICHMOND-PETERSBURG, VA; SALT LAKE CITY; and WILKES-BARRE-SCRANTON.

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