Tegna names Fox TV executive as new CEO

Tysons-based broadcaster Tegna has named Fox Television Stations executive Patrick Paolini as CEO while the two companies are locked in a legal battle over Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna.

In April, a federal judge blocked the merger pending an antitrust lawsuit filed by multiple states, although the Federal Communications Commission approved the acquisition in March, allowing Nexstar to announce it had completed the transaction, which expands Nexstar’s reach to about 80% of U.S. TV households.

Paolini, who starts at Tegna on June 1, succeeds former CEO Mike Steib, who stepped down in March. Steib was named Tegna’s president and CEO in 2024.

Since 2023, Paolini has been executive vice president of advertising sales at Fox Television Stations, a subsidiary owned by Fox Corp. He previously was senior vice president and general manager of Washington, D.C.’s WTTG and WDCA, helping the duopoly reach No. 1 in the market.

Paolini’s appointment comes as the companies are in court.

Following the FCC’s approval, a coalition of state attorneys general and DirecTV sued to block the merger, arguing it would reduce competition, cut local jobs and raise prices.

Nexstar has asked a federal appeals court to fast-track its challenge, warning the delay is costing tens of millions of dollars and disrupting hiring and business decisions.

Tegna warned it “faces the irreversible loss of key employees and on-air talent, and degradation of critical business relationships” due to the legal battle and that it is currently unable to implement planned cost reductions while the case proceeds. If the order is not overturned, a full trial is unlikely before 2027.

“Patrick is an ideal choice to lead Tegna,” said the company’s board of directors in a statement. “He brings deep expertise in the broadcast television industry, major-market station management and high-quality local news, along with a proven track record of driving revenue growth across linear and digital platforms. He is an innovative thinker and a proven leader with an established history of success. We look forward to Patrick’s leadership of this great company.”

Before working at WTTG and WDCA, Paolini was senior vice president of Fox Stations Advertising Sales. Earlier in his career, was vice president and general manager for WTXF Fox 29 in Philadelphia, and before that held the role of vice president and director of sales at WNYW Fox 5 and WWOR My9.

In a statement, Paolini said he was honored to join Tegna.

“Tegna will remain committed to providing the exceptional service our viewers, advertisers and communities expect, while continuing to innovate and expand across the platforms that define the modern media landscape,” he said. “ I am excited by the opportunities ahead.”

Tegna is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar, operating independently of Nexstar consistent with the “Hold Separate Order” issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California on April 17. It operates 64 local television stations in 51 U.S. markets and hundreds of websites, mobile and connected TV apps.

Reuters contributed to this report.