Nexstar, the No. 1 owner of TV stations in the U.S., is acquiring rival Tegna in a deal that challenges decade-old limits on control of local media.

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 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.