A new MoveOn Civic Action petition is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reject Nextstar’s “unethical” $6.2 billion bid for Tegna Inc., which would make Nexstar the largest owner of local TV stations in the country.
“No more media monopolies!” the request, which now has more than 20,000 signatures, stated. “We all lose when our media and local news stations are controlled by just a powerful few. And we deserve better than a consolidation of power by greedy executives more interested in their bottom line than defending our freedom of press and speech.”
The petition, which comes after Nexstar announced its plans to acquire the rival company back in August, stated that the deal would leave Tegna with 265 television stations in 44 states and Washington, D.C., which represents 80% of the U.S. television households.
Tegna and Nexstar did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Nexstar, which pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off airwaves last week, owns 32 ABC affiliates while Tegna owns 13. The request noted that the consolidation of power would bump Nexstar over the FCC’s national broadcasting ownership cap — a limit of 39% coverage.
“This deal has corporate corruption and government overreach written all over it— and everyday Americans are going to pay the price,” the petition added. “We have to expose this shady business deal before Nexstar and other major companies control our media and become proxy propaganda outlets for Trump and his cronies. ABC’s decision to pull Kimmel off the air was a direct result of corporate corruption. Tell the FCC NOT to approve this merger.”
As TheWrap previously reported this week, Nexstar will continue to keep “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off air amid ongoing discussions with Disney.
“Nexstar is continuing to evaluate the status of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on our ABC-affiliated local television stations, and the show will be preempted while we do so,” the company said in a statement on Thursday. “We are engaged in productive discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company, with a focus on ensuring the program reflects and respects the diverse interests of the communities we serve.”
After a six-day suspension, Kimmel returned with a jab at Trump, who has threatened to sue ABC over Kimmel’s return.
Specifically, during Thursday night’s broadcast, Kimmel called the president a “bully” for attacking the network.
“I don’t like bullies. I played the clarinet in high school, okay?” Kimmel added. “I just don’t like it. Donald Trump is an old-fashioned ’80s movie-style bully, taking your lunch and money.”
In an email, the petition said the merger exposes Nexstar’s attempt at an “abuse of power.”
“By aligning with the administration, trying to strong arm ABC and Disney, and working to influence the FCC—Nexstar is exposing the blatant abuse of power and regulatory manipulation tied to this merger attempt,” the petitioners shared.
