Trending Now - Patrick Paolini Appointed Tegna CEO Amid Nexstar Merger Delays

WHO:

Variety - Patrick Paolini has been appointed CEO of Tegna.

Deadline - Patrick Paolini is a veteran of Fox Television Stations, where he spent 26 years.

WHAT:

Variety - The previous CEO of Tegna, Mike Steib, stepped down in March.

Deadline - Tegna is currently involved in litigation seeking to undo its merger with Nexstar.

WHERE:

Variety - Tegna is a local TV station group.

WHEN:

Variety - Mike Steib stepped down in March.

Deadline - Patrick Paolini departed Fox Television Stations last week.

WHY:

Variety - The Nexstar-Tegna merger is currently tied up in an antitrust challenge from state attorneys general and DirecTV.

HOW:

Deadline - Patrick Paolini was previously the EVP of ad sales at Fox Television Stations before taking the role at Tegna.

(UPDATED May 26, 2026 16:18 UTC)

Patrick Paolini has been appointed as the new CEO of Tegna, stepping into the role after Mike Steib's departure in March. Paolini, who spent 26 years at Fox Television Stations and was the EVP of ad sales there, took on this position amid ongoing litigation surrounding Tegna's merger with Nexstar, which is facing an antitrust challenge. As a local TV station group, Tegna is navigating these complex legal waters while welcoming its new leadership.