That depends on whether there's any hurry (and other things). If neither the court nor either of the parties see a reason to hurry, then time can pass.

There already was a verdict (for the Times) but it was thrown out on appeal. This is a re-do.

ETA: I looked up the docket [0] and in fact, this was the second appeal (See ECF 64). There was also an appeal on a prior MTD, hence the extreme delay.

[0]: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6081165/palin-v-the-new...