Nexstar and Sinclair overplayed their hand [View all]

Nexstar and Sinclair are powerful, but overplayed their hand. Nexstar is imperiling its pending transaction with Tegna requiring FCC approval. Current FCC limit an affiliate’s reach to 39% of US households. If the FCC changed this rule and approved the merger, Nexstar would reach more than 80% of U.S. households.

If Nexstar wields enough power at 39% to force Kimmel off the air, that suggests it already has enormous market power - and that argues against an approval that would double its power.