Newsmax virulently opposes a merger between TV station owners Nexstar and Tegna, despite the fact that its TV operation is cable-based and, thus, not subject to the same issues broadcast operations like Nexstar and Tegna face, such as ownership caps. Newsmax continued to push opposition to lifting ownership caps that would facilitate the merger over the past few months. For instance, Newsmax complained in a Jan. 1 article:
Newsmax Media, Inc. has formally asked the Federal Communications Commission to block the proposed $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and TEGNA Inc., warning that the deal would violate federal law, harm competition, raise prices for consumers, and damage local news across the country.
In a detailed Petition to Deny filed Dec. 31 with the FCC, Newsmax argues that the transaction represents an unprecedented consolidation of broadcast power that Congress has expressly prohibited.
The filing is signed by Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy.
[…]Newsmax also contends that the merger would violate FCC local television ownership rules in 23 markets, where Nexstar would control three stations in the same market.
Those markets include major metropolitan areas such as Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Denver, Cleveland, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and San Diego.
Granting waivers, Newsmax argues, would allow Nexstar to dominate local advertising markets and consolidate news operations, leading to newsroom closures, layoffs, and reduced local coverage.
[…]Newsmax places particular emphasis on the public interest harms to local news production.
While Nexstar claims the merger would strengthen local journalism, Newsmax argues the opposite is more likely — especially in rural and mid-sized markets where broadcast television is often the primary source of local news.
Newsmax kept up its anti-merger propaganda in other articles as well:
- Scalia Legal Scholar: FCC Has ‘No Authority’ to Lift TV Ownership Cap
- Trump Says ‘No Expansion’ for Big TV Networks, Supports Newsmax
- ZOA Says Reject Nexstar Merger ─ Threatens Media Balance
- CPAC Urges FCC to Preserve TV Ownership Caps, Limit Big Networks
- Legal Scholars: FCC Can’t Change TV Ownership Cap
- FCC Chair Carr Hedges on Power to Lift 39% TV Ownership Cap
- Stefanik Strongly Against Lifting TV Ownership Cap, Nexstar–Tegna Merger
- See Stefanik Letter Opposing FCC Lifting TV Cap, Nexstar Merger
- Religious Broadcasters Urge FCC to Keep TV Caps
- 30+ GOP Congressmen Urge FCC to Keep TV Ownership Cap
- Senators Reaffirm 39% Cap at Hearing on FCC Broadcast Rule
Newsmax even called in its big guy to push the company narrative, as detailed in a Nov. 19 article:
Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy took to his network’s airwaves Tuesday night to warn that the FCC, under Brendan Carr, is moving to give the big TV networks massive reach — and pushing through a mega-merger of the anti-Trump Nexstar group.
Current federal law limits any station group or network, such as ABC, CBS, and NBC, from reaching more than 39% of U.S. households.
The limit is part of the “TV ownership cap” President Ronald Reagan first established to block big networks from owning every local station in the country — and controlling their local news.
“Reagan understood if you have left-wing networks like ABC, NBC and CBS – or groups like Nexstar today controlling every local station and their local news — Republicans would have little chance to win in state and federal elections,” Ruddy said.
A few days later, Ruddy praised Trump for being on his side:
Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy praised President Donald Trump for coming out swinging against his own FCC Chair Brendan Carr over plans that would allow major TV networks to significantly expand their national reach by raising local ownership caps.
“He’s strongly standing with us, and he’s saying no expansion on this cap,” Ruddy told Monday’s “National Report,” adding the president’s message could not be clearer.
[…]Trump warned that allowing network consolidation would let “radical left networks” grow even larger.
The Newsmax story detailed the network’s opposition to the Nexstar-Tegna merger — a combination that, if approved, would have created the largest TV group in the nation.
Of course — if Trump had said something different, Ruddy and Newsmax would not have promoted this so aggressively.