Nexstar Media Group vs Scripps

DIRECTV Accuses Nexstar of Illegal Price-Fixing

DIRECTV has filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeking to compel Nexstar Media Group and its co-defendants to produce documents withheld under attorney-client privilege. The case, initiated in March 2023, alleges that Nexstar used sidecar stations Mission Broadcasting and White Knight Broadcasting to evade ownership limits and coordinated retransmission consent pricing through negotiator Eric Sahl. DIRECTV argues that Sahl shared confidential pricing information with Nexstar executives, constituting a horizontal price-fixing conspiracy violating the Sherman Act. The motion requests the court to apply the crime-fraud exception and award attorney's fees. A hearing is scheduled for November 4, 2026, before Magistrate Judge Robert Lehrburger.

• DIRECTV filed a motion on October 30, 2026, to compel Nexstar to produce documents in the price-fixing lawsuit.
• The lawsuit, filed in March 2023, alleges Nexstar used Mission and White Knight to evade ownership limits.
• DIRECTV claims Eric Sahl funneled confidential pricing information to Nexstar executives, including CEO Perry Sook.

FCC Lifts Ownership Cap, Accelerating Local TV Consolidation

The number of independent owners of local TV stations affiliated with ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC has fallen from over 150 in 2006 to roughly 62 by 2023, with further declines since. This consolidation has concentrated control in the hands of three major companies: Nexstar Media Group, Sinclair Broadcast Group, and Gray Television. In a significant regulatory shift, the FCC voted on August 6, 2026, to eliminate the national audience-reach cap of 39%, replacing it with case-by-case reviews. This move, combined with the earlier approval of Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna, is expected to accelerate the acquisition of remaining independent affiliates by the top three broadcasters. The trend reduces the number of independent voices in local news, though proponents argue larger companies can better compete for advertising dollars against streaming and online platforms.

• Number of independent local TV owners fell from over 150 in 2006 to 62 by 2023.
• FCC voted on August 6, 2026, to eliminate the national audience-reach cap.
• Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna was approved earlier in 2026, giving Nexstar over 250 full-power stations.

Nexstar Media Group and DAZN Announce Agreement To Televise and Live Stream 15 Indiana Pacers Games for Fans Across Central Indiana

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) and DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, announced an agreement to televise and live stream 15 Indiana Pacers games for fans across Central Indiana. Games will stream for free on DAZN and be broadcast over-the-air on Nexstar’s local TV stations in Indianapolis, Evansville, and Champaign, Illinois. First over-the-air broadcast will be October 23 when the Pacers take on the Dallas Mavericks.

Scripps taps Sean McGarvy to lead news strategy

Scripps announced the appointment of Sean McGarvy to lead news strategy, dated Sept. 28, 2026.

Scripps announces new regional leadership structure for Local Media

Scripps announces new regional leadership structure for Local Media (Sept. 9, 2026); PWHL and Scripps Sports announce national U.S. television partnership for 2026-27 season (Sept. 9, 2026); ESPN & ION to bring WTGL, the new women's team golf league from TMRW Sports and LPGA, to fans across the U.S. (Sept. 2, 2026); Scripps taps NBCU sales veteran to lead small and medium business growth and direct response advertising (Aug. 27, 2026); Inaugural Scripps Sports Women's Basketball Showcase headed to Mortgage Matchup Center on December 16 (Aug. 14, 2026); Scripps' KRTV wins National Murrow Award for 'Excellence in Innovation' (Aug. 14, 2026); Scripps reports Q2 2026 financial results (Aug. 6, 2026); Scripps completes acquisition of WTVQ in Lexington (Aug. 1, 2026); Scripps unites television operations under Dean Littleton's leadership (July 22, 2026); Scripps to release second-quarter 2026 operating results on Aug. 6 (July 15, 2026); Scripps Sports and ION score U.S. media rights for the 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup (July 14, 2026); Scripps reaches third major retransmission deal of 2026 with DIRECTV renewal (July 13, 2026).

Scripps Uses AI to Streamline Local Newsrooms

E.W. Scripps has integrated artificial intelligence as an assistive tool across its local television newsrooms to automate routine production tasks and free journalists to focus on original reporting. AI is used to convert broadcast scripts into web articles, scan and surface highlights from lengthy public documents, and flag potential accuracy or bias issues according to internal ethics rules. The company enforces human oversight: editors and news managers review all AI-assisted content, disclosures note AI involvement, and policies prohibit generative AI from writing stories or creating photorealistic images from scratch. Scripps operates an internal platform called the Engine Room, created AI-focused roles, and convenes an AI governance committee. Recent workforce reductions of several hundred positions and centralized digital production hubs have accelerated automation in production and technical roles while the company expands market-specific 24-hour streams and emphasizes transparency and editorial control.

• E.W. Scripps uses AI across local TV newsrooms to assist with routine tasks and production workflows.
• AI systems convert television broadcast scripts into written website stories, with editors reviewing and approving all content.
• Scripps prohibits using generative AI to write stories or scripts from scratch or to produce photorealistic images.