Nexstar’s proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna could bring Cleveland’s WJW and WKYC under one owner, but regulatory hurdles make the deal’s local impact uncertain.

The initiatives being pursued by the Trump administration offer local broadcasters the opportunity to expand reach, level the playing field, and compete more effectively,’ Perry Sook said in a statement.

NBC affiliate 9News draws the most viewers to its daily newscasts, followed by KDVR (Fox), KCNC (CBS), KMGH (ABC) and KWGN (The CW, which is also owned by Nexstar), Comscore reported. Leaders 9News and Fox31 have frequently jockeyed for the top position in the Denver-Aurora market over the last five years, Comscore has reported.

Nexstar says its $6.2 billion takeover of Tegna is expected to close in the second half of 2026 — timing that would align with the lucrative wave of political ads during the midterm elections. But that plan still depends on Tegna shareholders, who may yet consider Sinclair’s competing offer.

Nexstar’s takeover of Tegna, enabled by Trump-era deregulation, positions the company to reach 80% of U.S. households

Nexstar, the largest broadcast affiliate owner in the U.S. and owner of the CW, announced Tuesday it has entered an agreement to buy smaller rival Tegna in an all-cash deal valued at $6.2 billion. The pending deal would bring together recent benefactors of the disruption of regional sports networks.