Aug 18 (Reuters) - U.S. television station owner

Sinclair has made an offer to merge its broadcast TV

business with smaller rival Tegna ( TGNA ), which is in advanced

talks on a potential sale to Nexstar Media Group ( NXST ), a

person familiar with the talks told Reuters on Monday.

Any potential merger would be difficult to close because of

Sinclair and Tegna's ( TGNA ) combined debt load, the person said, asking

not to be identified as the discussions are private.

At the end of the second quarter, Sinclair had roughly $4.11

billion in debt while Tegna ( TGNA ) had about $2.33 billion.

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news, said

that the deal would value Tegna's ( TGNA ) shares at around $25 to $30

apiece, citing people familiar with the matter.

Reuters could not immediately verify the details of the

deal.

Earlier this month, Sinclair said its board had authorized a

strategic review of the company's broadcast business and it is

considering a separation of its Ventures portfolio.

Sinclair owns, operates and provides services to 178

television stations in 81 markets.

Tegna ( TGNA ) has been subject to takeover interest in the past. In

2022, it agreed to be taken private by Standard General in a

deal valued at $8.6 billion, including debt, but later

terminated the merger agreement following regulatory scrutiny.

Tegna ( TGNA ) controls 64 stations and runs the True Crime Network and

Quest.

Sinclair and Tegna ( TGNA ) declined to comment.