(CNN) — Nexstar, the biggest owner of US TV stations, is trying to get even bigger, believing the Trump administration will allow it to do so.

On Tuesday, Nexstar announced a deal to acquire another broadcast station heavyweight, Tegna, in a $6.2 billion deal including debt. The deal will require government approval.

Public interest groups say TV mega-mergers strangle competition and ultimately reduce the amount of local news coverage that viewers depend on.

Investors tend to feel very differently. Shares in both companies rallied on the news Tuesday morning, and further consolidation is expected; the Wall Street Journal reported Monday night that Sinclair has also proposed a merger with Tegna.

Broadcast industry analysts said all the deal talk is premised on pending action by the F

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