Overview
- Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen, and Jacky Rosen, joined by Representatives Doris Matsui, Maxwell Frost, and Summer Lee, sent a Dec. 16 letter urging rigorous review and a potential block if the deal violates telecom or antitrust law.
- The proposed combination would create a portfolio of about 265 stations across 44 states and D.C., reaching roughly 80% of U.S. TV households, far above the FCC’s 39% national ownership limit.
- The letter argues the enlarged company could demand higher retransmission fees from pay‑TV distributors, increasing the risk of blackouts and raising costs for subscribers.
- Lawmakers cite about 35 overlapping markets and Nexstar’s projected $300 million in cost savings as warning signs for newsroom layoffs and more homogenized local news content.
- The push highlights calls for a transparent process insulated from political pressure, referencing Nexstar’s brief preemption of Jimmy Kimmel Live! following public comments by FCC Chair Brendan Carr.