Legal News
Policy-related stories involving the broadcasting, streaming, advertising, measurement and journalism industries. Includes public service journalism on press freedom issues, government agencies and international affairs.

FCC sides against DIRECTV, approves sale of two TV stations in Michigan
DIRECTV argued the transaction involving Cadillac Telecasting could increase retransmission consent costs by further consolidating station ownership.

Parties in Nexstar-TEGNA merger lawsuit propose July 2027 trial date
Expert witness lists and discovery evidence would be exchange by the parties and disclosed to the court between August 2026 and February 2027, per court records.
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Former Nexstar Chief Legal Officer Rachel Morgan lands at Dave & Busters
Several weeks after departing Nexstar, the company's former Chief Legal Officer is reprising that role at Dave & Buster's.
EXECUTIVE MOVES

State AGs say appeals court should uphold Nexstar-TEGNA injunction
The states argue the injunction is necessary to preserve a meaningful remedy if they ultimately succeed in blocking the merger.
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California DOJ won’t confirm probe into Fox-Roku deal, but there are signs
The state is involved in a number of investigations or lawsuits involving media mergers, including Nexstar's acquisition of TEGNA and Paramount's merger with Warner Bros Discovery.
EXCLUSIVE

DOJ green-lights Paramount-Warner Bros merger; California AG says deal not done
The Justice Department gave an unconditional sign-off to Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, but California regulators said the deal is far from closing.

Defamation lawsuit against Nexstar will continue, final settlement conference ends without deal
The lack of a settlement makes it all but certain that a jury will hear one or both defamation cases, which stems from a memo sent to newsroom employees in 2023.
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ACE secures $9 million judgment against streaming pirate
The Pennsylvania man was accused of illegally transmitting live channels over the Internet.

Bipartisan bill introduced to thwart FCC censorship of free speech
The JAWBONE Act would allow American individuals and corporations sue federal officials and agencies when targeted for constitutionally-protected speech and expression.

APTS criticizes Congress for failing to restore funding to educational TV initiative
The program, called Ready to Learn, was dependent upon grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which dried up last year.

House hearing explores sports broadcast deals in streaming era
The hearing highlighted partisan divides, with Republicans criticizing streaming exclusivity and Democrats focusing on media consolidation and rising consumer costs.

Group files FOIA lawsuit to reveal FCC Chairman Carr’s texts during Jimmy Kimmel controversy
The watchdog organization says the FCC failed to adequately search Carr's e-mail and cell phone for responsive records.
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