Tegna Deal Draws DOJ Queries Over Potential TV Price Hikes (1)

Justice Department officials are scrutinizing whether Standard General LP’s proposed $5.4 billion purchase of broadcaster Tegna Inc. could lead to higher cable prices, according to people familiar with the matter.

Justice Department lawyers are asking about an unusual element of the transaction involving a station sale, one of the people said. Critics say the sale could hike fees for cable providers, who may pass those costs on to consumers.

The questions are coming in the agency’s antitrust review probing whether the deal is anticompetitive, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing a confidential investigation.

Tegna fell ...