FCC allows Nexstar’s acquisition of a TV rival

The US Federal Communications Commission said Thursday that it had approved the local television giant Nexstar's $6.2 billion acquisition of a rival TV company, Tegna, saying the deal will help counter the growing power that national programmers have amassed in recent years.

- DAISUKE WAKABAYASHI SEOUL (NYT)

Nexstar and its partners will now oversee 265 television stations in 44 states and Washington DC, cementing its position as the largest owner of local television stations in the United States.

Opponents of local TV consolidation have argued that fewer station owners make for a less competitive market for viewers and advertisers. Critics have said consolidation in local broadcasting gives station owners more influence over programming.