WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Communications Commission signed off on a $6.2 billion deal for Nexstar to acquire Tegna. The merger would create the largest operator of local television stations in the country.

The Federal Communications Commission waived a rule that bars a single company from owning TV stations reaching more than 39% of U.S. households. The combined company would reach 80% of U.S. TV households.

Eight state attorneys general filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Nexstar-Tegna merger on federal antitrust grounds. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Virginia.

The lawsuit argues that the Nexstar-Tegna deal violates Section 7 of the Clayton Antitrust Act, which bars acquisitions that would substantially lessen competition. New York Attorney General Letitia James said "This illegal merger threatens local news and could raise fees for consumers by combining hundreds of TV stations under the same owner. I'm suing to stop Nexstar's illegal merger with Tegna to keep cable bills down and ensure New Yorkers can access the independent local news options they count on."

DirecTV filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the Nexstar-Tegna takeover. DirecTV's lawsuit argues that the Nexstar-Tegna merger will increase prices for consumers and harm the production of local news.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said "Waiving that rule here is consistent with longstanding FCC authorities and doing so promotes the underlying purpose of the FCC's media regulations by promoting competition, localism, and diversity."

Nexstar Chief Executive Officer Perry Sook said "This transaction is essential to sustaining strong local journalism in the communities we serve." Sook said "We are grateful to President Trump, Chairman Carr, and the DOJ for recognizing the dynamic forces shaping the media landscape and enabling this transaction to move forward."

Nexstar agreed to conditions for the merger that include divesting stations, increasing localism, and implementing affordability measures. Prior to the merger review, Nexstar operated 201 stations in 116 television markets. Prior to the merger review, Tegna operated 64 full-power broadcast television stations, one AM radio station, and one FM radio station.

Nexstar Media Group said it closed its acquisition of Tegna following approvals from the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice. The combined company resulting from the Nexstar-Tegna merger has 259 full-power television stations after divesting six.