WPRI-12’s Parent Company Nexstar Gets Huge Win From Trump Administration

WPRI-12’s Parent Company Nexstar Gets Huge Win From Trump Administration

The Trump administration’s Chairman, Brendan Carr, published an op-ed in Breitbart announcing that the FCC will vote on August 6 on an Order that repeals the FCC’s 39% national television multiple ownership rule.  “Specifically, the FCC will vote to replace the national cap with a granular, case-by-case review.  This will empower the FCC to approve deals that promote the public interest while allowing the agency to reject any deals that do not meet that standard.  This action will foster a competitive media market, enhance localism, and promote investment in trusted sources of news and information,” wrote the FCC.

The decision is a major win for WPRI’-12’s parent company, which has been looking to repeal that 80-plus-year standard.

The FCC move will clear a major hurdle for Nexstar’s mega merger with Tenga. 

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Following the announcement, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement: 

“Trump’s FCC Chair is trying to illegally rewrite the rules to make it easier for billionaires to line their own pockets while jacking up costs and controlling what Americans watch. After rubber-stamping the Nexstar-Tegna megamerger, this looks like the Trump administration's latest attempt to roll out the red carpet for more antitrust disasters.”

 

TVTech reported that the deal still faces opposition from some state attorneys general.

It reported:

A U.S. District Court [July 9] denied a stay of the FCC Media Bureau’s approval of the merger of Nexstar and Tegna TV station groups, while a California judge set a trial date for lawsuits filed by DirecTV and state AGs, which are challenging the transaction.

Since it was announced in August 2025, the merger has faced opposition from other media companies, public interest groups, and state attorneys general who filed a lawsuit in March, attempting to block the merger.

The merger, valued at $6.2 billion (when it was announced), would create a behemoth in the local broadcasting industry with 265 full-power television stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia and 132 of the country’s 210 television DMAs.

 

A total of 13 attorneys general have filed suit. Rhode Island's Peter Neronha did not join the lawsuit

 

Nexstar and Trump

In September of 2025, WPRI-12’s parent company, Nexstar, led the effort on Wednesday to remove Jimmy Kimmel Live! Many saw the move as an effort to curry favor with Trump. Ultimately, Nexstar backed down after public critcism.

Nexstar has also been a major donor to Trump over the years.

Besides WPRI, Nexstar owns FOX Providence (WNAC-TV), The CW Providence, and myRITV in the Rhode Island market.