Editor Note: The Nexstar/TEGNA merger remains on hold as of May 28th, 2026. ----------------------- By Frank Macek A major shift in local television is now official. Nexstar Media Group has completed its acquisition of Tegna Inc. , bringing Cleveland’s WKYC-TV under new ownership as part of the nation’s largest broadcast group. The $6.2 billion deal, approved by federal regulators on Thursday, dramatically expands Nexstar’s reach, now touching roughly 80% of U.S. television households. For WKYC, it marks the end of its Tegna era and the beginning of a new corporate structure alongside sister stations already owned by Nexstar in Cleveland including WJW-TV/8 and WBNX-TV/55. Supporters argue the move strengthens local stations by giving them greater negotiating power and resources in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Critics, however, warn that consolidation could reduce newsroom diversity and local editorial independence. For viewers in Northeast Ohio, the branding may stay the s...