California Attorney General Rob Bonta, joined by attorneys general from seven other states, filed a lawsuit to block the $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc. The lawsuit alleges the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act by reducing competition in local TV markets, leading to higher prices, less local news, and job losses.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction to prevent the merger from proceeding.
In-house legal teams should review all merger and acquisition agreements, including the definitive merger agreement between Nexstar and Tegna, as well as any related shareholder agreements or financing documents. Key clauses to scrutinize include antitrust compliance representations and warranties, regulatory approval conditions (particularly those referencing Section 7 of the Clayton Act), termination rights tied to failure to obtain government clearance, material adverse change (MAC) clauses, and any divestiture or remedy provisions. Given the lawsuit's focus on market concentration and consumer harm, teams must assess whether existing covenants adequately address potential antitrust enforcement actions and consider negotiating amendments to strengthen compliance obligations, adjust termination fees, or incorporate specific divestiture commitments if required by regulators. Additionally, review any clauses related to operational integration that might impact local news staffing or market-level competition, as these could be relevant to ongoing litigation risk.
Entity
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. and Tegna Inc.
Also known as: Nexstar Media Group and Tegna
Industry
Media & EntertainmentOfficial Press Release
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-files-lawsuit-seeking-block-62-billion-nexstartegna
2026.03.18 Complaint for Permanent Injunction Redacted
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/2026.03.18%20Complaint%20for%20Permanent%20Injunction%20Redacted.pdf
California Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/privacy-enforcement-actions
"the acquisition of Tegna Inc. (Tegna) by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nexstar)"
"Section 7 of the Clayton Act"
"mergers that substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly are illegal"
Antitrust enforcement action where Oregon AG filed a lawsuit to block the $6.2 billion merger of Nexstar and Tegna, alleging it violates Clayton Act Section 7 by substantially lessening competition in broadcasting, which could harm local news and raise consumer prices.
A coalition of 12 state attorneys general, led by Colorado AG Phil Weiser, obtained a temporary restraining order from a federal court in California to halt the proposed $110 billion merger of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Paramount Skydance Corporation. The lawsuit alleges the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act by substantially lessening competition in film distribution, anticipated blockbuster film distribution, and licensing cable TV channels.
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CalPrivacy) joined a coalition of 18 Attorneys General and state agencies in opposing the proposed SECURE Data Act, a federal privacy bill that would preempt stronger state privacy laws like the CCPA. The coalition argues the bill would weaken consumer privacy protections, limit enforcement remedies, and undermine California's Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP).
$12.8M
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with multiple district attorneys and the California Privacy Protection Agency, announced a $12.75 million settlement with General Motors for illegally selling hundreds of thousands of Californians' location and driving data to data brokers Verisk and LexisNexis without notice or consent. The settlement includes the largest CCPA penalty to date, a five-year ban on selling driving data to consumer reporting agencies, and requirements to delete retained data and implement a robust privacy program.
The California Privacy Protection Agency Board voted to support two bills (AB 1542 and SB 1106) and took a 'support if amended' position on a third bill (AB 883). These bills aim to strengthen privacy protections by expanding sensitive data protections, improving deletion rights under the Delete Act, and providing expedited deletion for elected officials and judges.
The California Privacy Protection Agency sent a letter to Congress opposing the SECURE Data Act, a federal bill that would preempt state privacy laws like the CCPA and Delete Act. The letter argues the bill would eliminate rights for 40 million Californians, including the DROP platform and opt-out preference signal requirements, and urges Congress to set a floor rather than a ceiling on privacy protections.