The Federal Communications Commission approved a $6.2 billion deal on Thursday allowing Nexstar Media Group to purchase rival TV station owner Tegna despite heavy criticism from several Democratic state attorneys general.
Under the merger, the two companies together will own a total of 265 television stations in 44 states.
The purchase puts St. Louis station KSDK, currently owned by Tegna, under the same umbrella as KPLR and KTVI, both of which were owned by Nexstar…