In a deal that has the potential to reshape the landscape of local TV news across the country, Nexstar Media Group, which owns WGNO and WNOL in New Orleans, has announced plans to acquire rival Tegna, parent company of WWL and WUPL.

The $6.2 billion deal would give Dallas-based Nexstar, already the largest owner of TV stations in the country, a total of 265 stations in 44 states, enabling it to reach 80% of U.S. TV households.

It’s too soon to say what the deal, which must still be approved by federal regulators, will mean for the companies' Louisiana stations. But in other cities where Nexstar has acquired stations that directly compete with stations it already owns, the company has continued to operate both.

In its announcement about the pending acquisition, Nexstar said the deal will

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