Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcast Group have confirmed that they will continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! when the show returns on Tuesday night.
This move will impact nearly a quarter of ABC’s affiliate reach, as both groups hold a significant share of the network’s distribution.
Nexstar’s decision on Kimmel
Nexstar explained its decision in a statement, stating, “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, Nexstar also emphasized that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will still be available nationwide on Disney-owned streaming platforms, while its stations will focus on local news and other relevant programming
A Nexstar spokesperson added that most of the affected stations would air extended local newscasts during Kimmel's timeslot.
Backlash and criticism
The decision to preempt Kimmel’s show has not been without controversy.
Former President Barack Obama and former Disney CEO Michael Eisner were among those who criticized what they saw as corporate surrender to pressure from the Trump administration.
Even Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who chairs the Senate committee overseeing the FCC, denounced the move, likening FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's comments to mafia-style tactics.
Carr had appeared on a podcast earlier in the week, suggesting that broadcasters could face penalties or even license revocation for continuing to air Kimmel’s program.
In response to the growing backlash, Nexstar issued a statement clarifying that the decision was made by the company's senior executive team without prior communication with the FCC or any government agency.
However, the timing of Nexstar’s decision raised questions, especially since the company is in the process of seeking FCC approval for its merger with Tegna, a major station group.
The FCC's involvement
Carr's public statements added fuel to the fire. During the podcast, he seemed to suggest a roadmap for stations to avoid potential fallout from airing Kimmel’s controversial remarks.
He said on a podcast, "It’s time that a lot of these licensed broadcasters themselves push back on Comcast and Disney and say, ‘Listen, we’re going to preempt, we’re not going to run Kimmel anymore, and so you straighten this out because we, licensed broadcasters are running into the possibility of fines or license revocation from the FCC if we continue to run content that ends up being a pattern of news distortion.'”
As of now, both Nexstar and Sinclair together represent almost a quarter of ABC’s reach, with Nexstar holding 32 ABC affiliates and Sinclair controlling more than three dozen.
These affiliates span major cities like Nashville, Salt Lake City, and New Orleans, as well as mid-sized markets such as Sioux City, IA, Lubbock, TX, and Knoxville, TN.