Following a period of preemption, ABC-affiliate stations owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group are set to resume airing “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Friday nights. This decision marks a reversal for the two media giants, who had previously opted to keep Kimmel’s late-night talk show off the air, even after ABC had reinstated the program.
The combined preemption by Sinclair and Nexstar had effectively blocked approximately 25% of U.S. television viewers from accessing the show, given that the two companies collectively own 70 ABC-affiliate stations. Sinclair, which operates over 185 TV stations across 85 markets, and Nexstar, which owns 200 stations in 116 markets, are the largest local TV station owners in the country.
Sinclair, in a statement, cited “thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers and community leaders” as a key factor in the decision. The company emphasized its goal of ensuring programming remains “accurate and engaging for the widest possible audience.” Sinclair also noted “ongoing and constructive discussions” with ABC, proposing measures to improve accountability and viewer feedback, including an independent ombudsman. Though ABC and Disney did not agree to these measures, Sinclair respected their decision under network affiliate agreements.
Nexstar echoed a similar sentiment, stating that they “appreciate their constructive approach to addressing our concerns.” The controversy surrounding Kimmel stemmed, in part, from comments he made, which led to regulatory pressure from FCC chair Brendan Carr.
Nexstar is currently seeking FCC approval for a merger with Tegna, which would necessitate a change in the FCC’s audience reach limits. Nexstar initiated the preemption, followed by Sinclair, which was soon followed by ABC’s decision to “indefinitely” pause production of Kimmel’s show. This pause triggered significant criticism.
Former President Donald Trump expressed support for ABC initially removing Kimmel from the air. Referencing a past payment from ABC, he indicated that he would closely monitor the situation and test ABC’s commitment.
After ABC announced Kimmel’s return, Nexstar indicated that it would continue to assess the show’s status, highlighting ongoing discussions with Disney to ensure the program reflects the interests of the communities they serve.
In recent days, Sinclair has emphasized that its decision to continue preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! “was independent of any government interaction or influence”. They highlighted the importance of free speech, asserting that broadcasters have the right to exercise editorial judgment over local station content.
Sinclair has a history of influencing the conservative movement, including requiring local news anchors to read scripts about “fake news,” mirroring claims made by Trump during his first presidency.