{"id":11159,"date":"2026-03-20T00:46:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T00:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/2026\/03\/20\/trumps-regulators-approve-tv-merger-that-triggers-conservative-media-controversy\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T00:46:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T00:46:15","slug":"trumps-regulators-approve-tv-merger-that-triggers-conservative-media-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/2026\/03\/20\/trumps-regulators-approve-tv-merger-that-triggers-conservative-media-controversy\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump’s regulators approve TV merger that triggers conservative media controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Federal Communications Commission approved the $6.2 billion merger of Nexstar and Tegna, creating the nation’s largest broadcaster, sparking a fierce power struggle within the conservative media.<\/p>\n

The combined company will own more than 250 TV stations and reach more than half of American households, in violation of a limit passed by Congress in 2004 that limits broadcasters to reaching only 39 percent of viewers. Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has criticized the limit as outdated and overbroad and has granted waivers to allow the deal. But supporters of the cap say it would create a monopoly that would give Nexstar unprecedented broadcasting power over American homes.<\/p>\n

Nexstar announced this on Thursday evening closed the deal<\/u>","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/www.nexstar.tv\/nexstar-media-group-inc-closes-acquisition-of-tegna-inc\/","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0004","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0005","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>closed the deal<\/u><\/a> Following approval from both the FCC and the Department of Justice. The DOJ had no immediate comment. The development comes just hours after eight Democratic attorneys general and DirecTV filed suit to stop the deal<\/u>","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/subscriber.politicopro.com\/article\/2026\/03\/nexstar-tegna-merger-faces-first-legal-challenges-00835698","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0006","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0007","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>filed suit to stop the deal<\/u><\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cBy approving this transaction, which allows Nexstar to own less than 15% of television stations, the FCC is mindful of the media marketplace that (exists) today \u2013 not that of decades past \u2013 and the agency ensures that these broadcasters have the resources to continue investing in their local news operations,\u201d Carr said. said in a statement<\/u>","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/docs.fcc.gov\/public\/attachments\/DOC-419971A1.pdf","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0008","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0009","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>said in a statement<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

“This transaction is essential to maintaining strong local journalism in the communities we serve,” Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said in a statement. \u201cBy bringing together these two outstanding companies, Nexstar will be a stronger, more dynamic enterprise \u2013 better positioned to deliver exceptional journalism and local programming with enhanced assets, capabilities and talent.\u201d <\/p>\n

The approval is a blow to Trump allies such as Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, a confidant of President Donald Trump who runs a conservative cable channel, and One America News Network Chairman Charles Herring, who had opposed allowing such broadcast TV consolidation because of what it could mean for their businesses and conservative media. Matt Schlapp, president of the Conservative Political Action Conference, also opposed the deal<\/u>","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/subscriber.politicopro.com\/f\/?id=0000019c-bfb3-dd96-a9be-ffbb77050000","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed000a","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed000b","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>opposed the deal<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

But many Trump allies, including Carr, believe the merger will boost conservative TV content. Other supporters include political activists Laura Loomer and Mike Davis, former Trump White House press secretary Sean Spicer and former House committee chairmen Greg Walden and Cathy McMorris Rodgers.<\/p>\n

Media markets were also flooded with dueling campaigns, with one side claiming the merger would lead to higher prices for audiences and the other saying there was a need to crack down on biased liberal news.<\/p>\n

The FCC approval came without a vote between the three commissioners along with Carr. your media bureau<\/u>entrust the decision to","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/docs.fcc.gov\/public\/attachments\/DA-26-267A1.pdf","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed000c","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed000d","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>Assigning decisions to your media bureau<\/u><\/a>. Nexstar is divesting six TV stations as part of the approval and has made a commitment to the FCC to invest in local news and programming, in addition to other promises related to affordability, equal opportunity employment and non-discrimination.<\/p>\n

Many opponents, including some congressional Democrats and people like Rudy, argue that only Congress can modify the limits.<\/p>\n

Trump supported the merger last month<\/u>","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/02\/07\/trump-nexstar-tegna-merger-00770466","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed000e","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed000f","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>supported the merger last month<\/u>Saying that the transaction would “help eliminate fake news as there will be more competition, and at a higher and more sophisticated level.” Carr, who has accepted Trump’s claims that the FCC is not an independent agency, expressed later<\/u>to be done","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/x.com\/BrendanCarrFCC\/status\/2020216093445444054","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0010","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0011","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>expressed later<\/u><\/a> His own support for the deal after hours.<\/b><\/p>\n

In a sign of the growing discussions, Carr met directly with several top CEOs in recent weeks Nexstar CEO Perry Sook February 27<\/u>To","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/ecfs\/document\/1030303169338\/1","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0012","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0013","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>Nexstar CEO Perry Sook on February 27<\/u><\/a> And opponents of the deal like DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow<\/u>","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/ecfs\/document\/102240593212739\/1","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0014","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0015","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow<\/u><\/a> And Dennis Matthews, CEO of Optimum Communications<\/u>","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/ecfs\/document\/10302261028787\/1","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0016","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ed0017","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>Dennis Matthews, CEO of Optimum Communications<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Carr told Politico<\/u>told to","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/subscriber.politicopro.com\/article\/2026\/02\/tv-ownership-cap-could-be-loosened-case-by-case-carr-says-00801147","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ee0000","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ee0001","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>Carr told POLITICO<\/u><\/a> It said in late February that the limit could be loosened on a “case-by-case” approach, depending on the individual circumstances surrounding a given merger. This would give Carr even more discretion and leverage over whether to approve deals that come before the agency. Broadcasters say the ban is outdated and prevents them from better competing with streaming giants like Amazon and Netflix.<\/p>\n

Some conservatives have supported eliminating ownership limits as a way to promote conservative content. They believe that allowing affiliate TV broadcasters like Nexstar and Sinclair to grow bigger will give them more leverage to draw back on programming from more liberal coastal TV networks like ABC and NBC.<\/p>\n

But some influential conservatives disagree. Ruddy testified before the Senate last month that he “ready to sue<\/u>","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/subscriber.politicopro.com\/article\/2026\/02\/newsmax-ceo-prepared-to-litigate-over-tv-cap-fight-00774133","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ee0002","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ee0003","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>ready to sue<\/u><\/a>On TV Cap fight.<\/p>\n

Rudy has fought the deal for months and told Politico last year","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2025\/11\/28\/a-conservative-media-war-erups-with-both-sides-hoping-trump-is-in-their-corner-00669920","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ee0004","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ee0005","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>told Politico last year<\/u> He expressed his concerns directly to Trump, although his critics believe he is acting out of personal financial interest. Other parties objecting to the deal include consumer advocacy groups, organized labor, and DirecTV, who fear it will hinder the diversity of voices in media and create ripple effects such as higher cable prices.<\/p>\n

Commissioner Anna Gomez, the FCC’s only Democrat, blow to approval<\/u>Gave","Add":{"Target": :"New","Property":(),"url": :"https:\/\/x.com\/AGomezFCC\/status\/2034765802092601646","_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ee0006","_Type": :"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_Identification": :"0000019d-08af-d1d2-a5bd-3baff7ee0007","_Type": :"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>jerked approval<\/u><\/a>Criticized both the merits of the deal and the lack of vote among the commissioners.<\/p>\n

“The FCC has once again chosen bureaucratic cover over public accountability,” Gomez said. \u201cThis merger was approved behind closed doors without an open process, without a full Commission vote, and without any transparency for the consumers and communities who will suffer its consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

He warned that “Nexstar has already begun cutting newsrooms across the country” and “the consequences of this rubber stamp approval will be felt in living rooms and newsrooms across the country, resulting in fewer voices, less competition and higher costs for consumers.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Federal Communications Commission approved the $6.2 billion merger of Nexstar and Tegna, creating the nation’s largest broadcaster, sparking a fierce power struggle within the conservative media. The combined company will own more than 250 TV stations and reach more than half of American households, in violation of a limit passed by Congress in 2004<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11160,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[5298,5300,2623,3179,5299,1915,4217,440],"class_list":["post-11159","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bible-verse","tag-approve","tag-conservative","tag-controversy","tag-media","tag-merger","tag-regulators","tag-triggers","tag-trumps"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11159","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11159"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11159\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11161,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11159\/revisions\/11161"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}