On Monday, it was announced by Disney that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be returning to ABC on Tuesday night. Two of the largest owners of ABC affiliate stations have both said that they will not be airing the show. This all comes after Jimmy Kimmel’s show was suspended last week after comments surrounding the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Nexstar released a statement saying, “We made a decision last week to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ comments at a critical time in our national discourse. We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve. In the meantime, we note that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be available nationwide on multiple Disney-owned streaming products, while our stations will focus on continuing to produce local news and other programming relevant to their respective markets.”
Instead of airing Jimmy Kimmel’s show, Nexstar has said it will be airing expanded local news broadcasts. Nexstar owns approximately 30 ABC affiliate stations.
Sinclair also said it will not be airing Kimmel, saying, “Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.” Sinclair owns nearly 40 ABC affiliate stations.
Together, Nexstar and Sinclair own nearly a quarter of ABC’s reach to American households. They represent the two largest owners of ABC affiliates in the United States. Nexstar is looking to expand that footprint and merge with Tegna, another large station group. To do this, it would need a government exemption. Currently, there is a rule that prohibits one company from owning stations that reach more than 39% of U.S. households. Nexstar would like the FCC to repeal this rule. Brendan Carr of the FCC has been actively attacking Jimmy Kimmel and appeared on a podcast last week, where he warned ABC and its stations of repercussions.
While Jimmy Kimmel is returning to ABC on Tuesday night, it is unknown what the future will look like with these companies that own ABC affiliates rebelling. It is also unknown if there are contracts with Nexstar and Sinclair that complicate the preemption of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Only time will tell how this controversy will continue to play out and the implications of last week’s events.
