AceShowbiz - Perry Sook, CEO of Nexstar Media Group, expressed gratitude for the backing of President Donald Trump regarding the company's pending acquisition of Tegna in a $6.2 billion deal. This transaction, if completed, would create the largest local TV station owner in the United States, reaching approximately 80% of American households.

During Nexstar’s fourth-quarter earnings call, Sook addressed questions from Wall Street analysts about the merger’s progress. He confirmed that the deal remains on track to close by June 30, marking the end of the second quarter. The combination of Nexstar and Tegna would significantly reshape the local television landscape, consolidating a vast network of stations under one corporate umbrella.

Support from President Trump was highlighted as a key positive development for the merger. Earlier in the month, Trump publicly endorsed the deal on his social media platform, Truth Social, emphasizing that the merger would foster increased competition against what he described as “THE ENEMY, the Fake News National TV Networks.”

The endorsement from a sitting president is unusual in the broadcast industry and demonstrates the political significance attributed to the merger. Nexstar and Tegna executives appear confident that with this level of support, regulatory approval and closing the deal by the targeted June deadline are achievable goals.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, this megadeal will likely have wide-reaching implications for local news distribution, advertising markets, and viewers nationwide. Industry watchers will be closely monitoring any further developments on the merger as the proposed closing date approaches.