Neguse, Bennet Slam FCC for Sidestepping Federal Law to Approve $6.2B Nexstar-Tegna Merger

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Joe Neguse and Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the $6.2 billion Nexstar Media-Tegna merger. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the agency would “waive” federal law and the national broadcast ownership cap to give the combined entity coverage of at least 60% of households across the country. 

Currently, federal law, specifically mandated by Congress in 2004, restricts any single company from owning TV stations reaching more than 39% of U.S. households. Violating this rule gives greater power to corporate owners to control programming and the framing of local news coverage. 

“The FCC’s decision is baseless and blatantly political — and will have disastrous consequences for consumers across the country. For Colorado, it will likely result in even greater consolidation of local news coverage, further depriving Coloradans of access to a healthy and competitive news market. That is why we’ve opposed this merger every step of the way,” said Neguse and Bennet. 

“As the appropriations process begins for the next Fiscal Year, it is critical for the Congress to utilize every tool to rein in the lawlessness of this regulatory agency, among others. We intend to do so.” 

###