US judge orders Nexstar to hold Tegna separate pending review

WASHINGTON, March 27 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge late Friday ordered Nexstar NXST.O to temporarily keep Tegna's assets separate pending a review of whether the broadcast station owner's $3.54 billion acquisition of its rival Tegna violates federal antitrust laws.

The companies quickly closed the deal after the Justice Department and Federal Communications Commision approved the deal on March 19.

U.S. District Judge Troy Nunley issued the order in response to a federal antitrust lawsuit filed by DirecTV, which argued it would irreparably drive up consumer costs, reduce local competition, shutter local newsrooms and increase both the frequency and duration of blackouts of key local sports teams.