Judge Troy Nunley will decide whether to issue a preliminary injunction after reviewing arguments from both sides.
The court requires Nexstar to keep Tegna’s operations separate, preserving independent competition during ongoing legal proceedings.
DirecTV challenged the merger, warning it could raise consumer costs and weaken competition across local broadcasting markets.
A coalition of states, including California and New York, also opposes the deal, citing risks to jobs and media diversity.
Critics argue the merger would concentrate control, giving one company access to content reaching nearly 80% of U.S. households.
Nexstar defended the acquisition, stating scale remains essential to sustain local news operations in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Officials continue to voice concerns about reduced independent voices and increased corporate influence over regional news distribution.
The court’s final decision will shape the future of broadcast consolidation and its impact on consumer pricing and competition.
