Des Moines TV Market: Tegna Deal Impact & Local Paper Concerns
Nexstar and Tegna Merger: What It Means for Local TV viewers
Table of Contents
The Deal and the Changing Media Landscape
A proposed $35.4 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna is sparking debate among industry professionals and raising concerns for local television viewers across the United States. The deal, announced on August 19, 2025, hinges on a bet that loosened antitrust policies under the current administration will allow the companies to overcome regulatory hurdles and consolidate their ownership of local stations. Reuters reports that this acquisition represents a notable move towards greater consolidation in the local television market.
The regulatory environment has been shifting. In June, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) signaled its intent to revisit rules capping station ownership at 39% of U.S. television households. Moreover, a recent court decision struck down the FCC’s “Top Four” rule, which previously prevented a single entity from owning two of the highest-rated stations within the same media market. These changes create a more favorable landscape for mergers like the one proposed by Nexstar and Tegna.
Nexstar’s Vision and the Competitive Landscape
Nexstar CEO Perry Sook has publicly stated that the changing regulatory climate provides an opportunity for local broadcasters to ”expand reach,level the playing field,and compete more effectively with the Big Tech and legacy Big Media companies.” This suggests that Nexstar views the merger as a strategic move to strengthen its position against larger competitors in the media landscape.
Impact on Local Markets: Iowa and the Quad cities
The merger’s potential impact is being closely watched in local markets. In des Moines, iowa, the deal could bring WOI Local 5 (ABC) under Nexstar’s ownership, joining its existing NBC affiliate, WHO 13. Tegna currently owns KCWI (CW) in Des Moines, which does not produce its own local news programming. Similarly, in the Quad Cities area (Moline, Illinois, and Rock Island, Illinois), the merger would combine Tegna’s WQAD (ABC) with Nexstar’s WHBF (CBS). In Sioux City, nexstar already owns KCAU (ABC), and Tegna does not have a presence in that market.
A key concern is that the merger would violate current federal rules prohibiting the ownership of two television stations within the same designated market area. This raises questions about potential waivers or further regulatory changes that may be necessary for the deal to proceed.
| Market | Nexstar Stations | Tegna Stations |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | WHO 13 (NBC) | WOI 5 (ABC), KCWI (CW) |
| Quad Cities, IL/IA | WHBF (CBS) | WQAD (ABC) |
| Sioux City, IA | KCAU (ABC) | None |
What’s Next?
The merger still faces significant regulatory scrutiny. The Department of Justice will likely review the deal to assess its potential impact on competition. Public interest groups are also expected to weigh in, raising concerns about the potential for reduced local news coverage and increased prices for advertising. The outcome of this merger could set a precedent for future consolidation in the broadcast television industry.