Apollo Global Management LLC earlier in 2019 approached broadcast company TEGNA Inc. about a potential deal, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Apollo first reached out to TEGNA near the beginning of the year and then in February sent a formal letter to the board about buying the company, the publication reported. TEGNA turned the offer down, but Apollo has reportedly been in contact with the company since that time.

According to the Journal, Apollo has considered merging TEGNA's assets with those of Cox Media Group Inc., in which the alternative asset manager agreed to buy a majority stake earlier this year.