on december 3, 2018, irving, texas-based nexstar media group—which has owned nbc affiliate wbre-tv since 1997 and operated cbs affiliate wyou-tv since 1996 (running the latter through a shared services agreement with mission broadcasting since 1998 after selling the license to acquire wbre through a grandfathered lma)—announced it would acquire the assets of tribune media for $6.4 billion in cash and debt. nexstar is precluded from acquiring wnep directly or indirectly, as fcc regulations prohibit common ownership of more than two stations in the same media market, or two or more of the four highest-rated stations in the market. (furthermore, any attempt by nexstar to assume the operations of wnep through local marketing or shared services agreements may be subject to regulatory hurdles that could delay completion of the fcc and justice department's review and approval process for the acquisition.) as such, nexstar will be required to sell either wnep or both wbre and wyou (separately as it would break the grandfathered lma) to separate, unrelated companies to address the ownership conflict. on january 31, 2019, nexstar announced that wnep, along with wtkr in norfolk, virginia and wgnt in portsmouth, virginia would be sold to independent third parties in order to address ownership conflicts involving existing nexstar properties in both markets. on march 20, 2019, mclean, virginia-based tegna inc. announced it would purchase wnep from nexstar upon consummation of the merger, as part of the company's sale of nineteen nexstar- and tribune-operated stations to tegna and the e. w. scripps company (the latter of which would acquire new york city's wpix) in separate deals worth $1.32 billion; along with harrisburg sister station wpmt (which will also be acquired by tegna as part of the spin-offs), this would make wnep among the first television properties in pennsylvania for tegna. the sale was approved by the fcc on september 16, and would eventually be completed three days later.