Published on Feb 18, 2026
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr—eager to clear Nexstar’s (NXST) proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of rival broadcaster Tegna (TGNA)—is considering lifting the national limit on TV station ownership for most companies but retaining it for the four largest U.S. networks, sources familiar with the matter said.
The FCC may act as soon as Friday, one of the sources said. Another option Carr is considering is granting Nexstar’s requested waiver from the federal rule that restricts companies from owning stations that reach more than 39% of U.S. households with TVs, the sources said. Carr has expressed interest in offering case-by-case exemptions from the national cap rather than moving to change the rule, said a second source.
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