The proposed deal between Nexstar and Tegna is stirring up all kinds of conjecture amongst trade professionals and even native TV viewers.
The Des Moines Register simply printed an article to let native Iowans know what the deal would imply to their residence markets.
Reuters stated the 2 media giants are betting on looser antitrust insurance policies beneath President Donald Trump to assist them with their quest to personal all of the stations.
In June, the Federal Communications Fee stated it was seeking to refresh a rule that caps station possession at a mixed attain of 39% of U.S. tv households. An appeals court docket additionally not too long ago struck down the FCC’s “Prime 4” rule, which barred possession of two top-rated stations in the identical market.
“The initiatives being pursued by the Trump administration provide native broadcasters the chance to develop attain, stage the enjoying discipline, and compete extra successfully with the Massive Tech and legacy Massive Media firms,” stated Nexstar CEO Perry Sook.
The deal would give Nexstar and its companions 265 full-power tv stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia and 132 of the nation’s 210 tv DMAs. The mixed firm could have stations in 9 of the highest 10 DMAs, 41 of the highest 50 DMAs, 62 of the highest 75 DMAs and 82 of the highest 100 DMAs, masking, in complete, 80% of U.S. tv households.
Right here’s an excerpt from the Des Moines Register:
The merger may convey Des Moines’ ABC affiliate, WOI Native 5 beneath Nexstar, which already owns NBC affiliate WHO 13. Tegna additionally owns KCWI, a CW affiliate in Des Moines that doesn’t produce its personal native information.
Within the Quad Cities, Tegna owns WQAD, a Moline, Illinois, based mostly ABC affiliate and Nexstar owns WHBF, a Rock Island, Illinois, based mostly CBS affiliate.
In each instances, the stations are situated within the identical designated market space.
Nexstar additionally owns KCAU, the ABC affiliate in Sioux Metropolis. Tegna doesn’t personal any stations in that market.
The proposed merger would battle with present federal guidelines that stop the possession of two tv stations in the identical designated market space.
