In a recent interview at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, Nexstar CEO Perry Sook addressed the legal hurdles facing the company's $6.2 billion merger with Tegna, particularly criticizing DirecTV, which is among the plaintiffs opposing the deal. Sook stated that the term 'broadcast behemoth' inaccurately describes Nexstar, especially when compared to tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta, as well as DirecTV itself, which he noted is twice Nexstar's size. He pointed out that 83% of retransmission disputes leading to blackouts occurred on DirecTV systems, suggesting a pattern of behavior that undermines negotiations with smaller broadcasters. Sook also commented on the broader industry landscape, indicating that he expects only 'two or three companies' to dominate local TV in the future. The merger, which would increase Nexstar's reach to 80% of U.S. households, is currently in limbo following a federal judge's ruling. Nexstar is appealing this decision to the Ninth Circuit appellate court, with Sook expressing confidence in their legal position.