The Colorado media landscape is set for a major transformation over the next few years, with a significant deal impacting local television news coverage across the state, especially in Northern Colorado.
Nexstar Acquires Tegna in a $6.2 Billion Deal
Broadcast giant Nexstar has struck a $6.2 billion deal to acquire its competitor Tegna, according to a report from AdWeek.
-
Nexstar currently owns 201 stations nationwide.
-
Tegna operates 64 stations.
-
After the acquisition, Nexstar will control 265 full-powered TV stations across 44 states, including Washington, D.C.
This merger will give Nexstar access to 41 of the top 50 U.S. TV markets and coverage of nearly 80% of U.S. households — a major shift in the broadcasting industry.
Impact on Federal Ownership Limits
For decades, federal law has imposed a 39% cap on how much of the U.S. television audience a single company can reach. This rule has enjoyed bipartisan support for over 30 years.
However, Nexstar CEO Perry Sook has publicly opposed this limit and is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the White House to revisit the ownership rules.
Since the acquisition still requires FCC approval, the deal is expected to close within six to nine months.
How Colorado TV Stations Will Be Affected
Currently, Nexstar already has a presence in three Colorado markets:
-
Grand Junction / Montrose – KREX, KGJT-CD
-
Colorado Springs – KXRM, KXTU-LD
-
Denver – KDVR, KWGN
Once the deal finalizes, Nexstar will take control of Tegna’s Colorado stations:
-
KTVD (Denver, CO)
-
KUSA (Denver, CO)
This gives Nexstar major control over Northern Colorado’s local TV news market. While the company hasn’t announced job impacts or a transition timeline yet, the shift is expected to reshape how local news is delivered in the region.
Northern Colorado Journalism Faces a New Era
Industry experts believe this acquisition could significantly influence local journalism and news coverage across the Centennial State. While some fear fewer independent voices, others suggest it could bring stronger resources and broader coverage under a single, powerful network.
9News Denver’s Kyle Clark addressed the acquisition during a recent broadcast, highlighting how the deal could change the media landscape in Colorado.
With this move, Northern Colorado viewers can expect programming, reporting styles, and newsroom priorities to evolve in the coming months.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
Leave a Reply