Senators Grill FCC Over Nexstar-Tegna Merger

0:00It's March 31st, U.S. News Today starts now, AI powered and nationwide, I'm Cory with the story. Senate Commerce Committee bosses Ted Cruz from Texas and Maria Cantwell from Washington fired off a tough letter to FCC Chair Brendan Carr. They're mad about the agency's quick approval of next star's $6.2 billion buyout of Tecna. Instead of a full commission vote, the Media Bureau greenlit this massive deal on March 19th, paving the way for the biggest local TV network in, U.S. History. The merged company would run 259 full power stations across 44 states, hitting nearly 80% of American TV homes. Even after selling off some, to make it happen, the FCC waved the longstanding 39% national audience cap set by Congress, plus local ownership limits that let next star own three big stations in key markets. Times are blowing up across the board. Direct TV just got a temporary court order to pause the merger, saying it'll mess with

1:02cable deals and her viewers. Eight states, led by California, are pushing back on antitrust grounds, while newsmax and conservative groups like CPAC filed suits claiming it kills. Competition and news variety. Lawmakers slammed the Bureau-level sign-off as dodging real oversight, warning it sets a bad precedent for future mega-mergers without full votes. They say rushing it risks locking in the deal before courts can unwind it, and their demanding car explain the limits on this delegated power. With court fights raging, states reviewing in a response due by April 13th, this blockbuster merger and how the FCC handles media rules hangs. In the balance, keeping everyone on edge.