Nexstar Media-Tegna Integration in Limbo Pending Court Ruling

A California federal judge held off on deciding whether Nexstar Media Group Inc. can resume its integration of Tegna Inc. following an hourslong hearing on whether a merger creating the largest local TV operator in the US violates antitrust law.

US District Judge Troy L. Nunley in Sacramento said he would issue a written order shortly on whether to extend a two-week halt to the deal. Nunley’s March 27 order required Nexstar to continue operating Tegna as a separate company while he considers two antitrust lawsuits seeking to prevent the companies from combining.

Nexstar and Tegna closed their $3.5 billion ...