Political backing has resurfaced around the proposed $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna—reviving a deal that, on paper, still cannot pass under current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules. As covered last August, the combined entity would reach roughly 80% of US TV households, more than double the FCC’s 39% national TV ownership cap. Yet the fact that serious political support is being voiced at this stage suggests the regulation may not hold much longer. The renewed endorsement, reported by Reuters last week, frames the merger as a competitiveness issue. Given today’s ecosystem, local broadcasters need scale to negotiate more effectively with national networks, streaming platforms and advertisers. The 39% cap was crafted in an era when linear…