DirecTV, states accuse Nexstar of violating Tegna separation order

DirecTV and a bipartisan coalition of 13 state attorneys general asked a federal judge Wednesday to remove current and former Nexstar executives from Tegna’s board, arguing that its composition violates a previous order requiring the broadcasters to operate independently.

The plaintiffs filed a motion for clarification and additional compliance measures July 22, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. They contend Nexstar is improperly exercising control over Tegna while their antitrust challenge to the companies’ $6.2 billion transaction proceeds.

Chief U.S. District Judge Troy Nunley issued a preliminary injunction April 17, 2026, requiring Nexstar to maintain Tegna as a separate, independently managed and economically viable business. The order also prohibits Nexstar from influencing Tegna’s management or sharing competitively sensitive information between the companies.

According to Wednesday’s filing, Tegna’s new board consists entirely of Nexstar’s CEO, president, chief financial officer, general counsel and the former president of its broadcasting division.

The plaintiffs said they have spent nearly two months seeking information about the executives’ roles and questioning why Nexstar personnel must serve on Tegna’s board. The motion alleges Nexstar has declined to provide meaningful answers or documents supporting its position.

DirecTV and the states asked Nunley to clarify that current and recent Nexstar personnel may not serve on Tegna’s board. They also want the court to require monthly compliance reports, the regular production of key Tegna documents and an expedited process for discovery into Nexstar’s adherence to the injunction.

Nexstar previously said it had taken steps consistent with the court’s separation order and has appealed the preliminary injunction to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Nexstar announced its $6.2 billion agreement to acquire Tegna on Aug. 19, 2025, a deal that would combine two of the country’s largest television station groups. The companies filed for Federal Communications Commission approval in November 2025.

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DirecTV and eight states sued March 18, 2026, arguing the acquisition would reduce competition, increase retransmission fees and harm local news. The Justice Department and FCC approved the transaction the following day, and Nexstar completed the purchase March 19.

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order March 27 requiring the companies to remain separate, then entered a preliminary injunction April 17 after finding the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their Clayton Act claims. The coalition later expanded to 13 states, and the litigation is continuing while Tegna is required to operate as an independently managed business.