News of Nexstar’s $6.2 billion plan to acquire Tegna is sending local media types scrambling to explain how the deal would work for local TV viewers in their area and what the move might mean for local TV itself.

Once it swallows up Tegna, Nexstar will own 265 full-power television stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia. The combined company will have stations in nine of the top 10 markets, and in 41 of the top 50 markets.

Nexstar Chairman and CEO Perry Sook said the company is “committed to delivering superior local news, sports and entertainment programming and content to local viewers.”

We saw examples of how the news is spreading in three areas, Washington state, Denver and in San Diego. Check out the excerpts and links below:

In Washington, Tegna operates 64 stations and networks, while Nexstar is linked to more than 200 stations and operates brands such as The CW and NewsNation, Reuters reported. The acquisition would expand Nexstar’s footprint in key markets in the Pacific Northwest and across the U.S. and allow it to cover 80% of television households.

Kitsap Sun

Click here for a breakdown from the Kitsap Sun.

While the Times of San Diego wrote this:

According to OpenSecrets.org, a research group that tracks money in U.S. politics, Nexstar has a history of contributing to both Republican and Democrat candidates. 

But a clue as to how it will handle local political coverage may be indicated by a memorandum to KUSI and Fox 5 employees in February. Susan Tully, senior vice president for local content development, told employees to use President Trump’s new name for the Gulf of Mexico.                      

“We will be careful not to confuse our news consumers when it comes to important information from the federal government,” Tully told San Diego employees.  “We should follow the new language Gulf of America.”

And Kyle Clark at KUSA in Denver told viewers this: