After Disney’s announcement regarding “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, local station owners Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group revealed their intention to keep the show off the air in major markets. They also plan to extend their discontent over Kimmel’s controversial comments.
Kimmel’s show was taken off the air last Wednesday due to backlash stemming from his remarks about the individual involved in the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had raised concerns, leading Disney to pause the show’s airing. Reportedly, Kimmel indicated he wouldn’t apologize for his comments.
This situation has ignited fierce debates. Many liberals feel Kimmel’s free speech is being penalized, while conservatives criticize his suggestion that Kirk’s assassin is part of the MAGA movement, labeling it as outrageous and misleading.
In a statement on Monday, Disney announced that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would make a return, with Kimmel expected to address the controversy. However, for some viewers who rely solely on traditional television, this might not be an option.
Disney’s ownership includes ABC affiliates in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, among others. Other ABC affiliates airing Kimmel’s return are owned by various parent groups, such as Tegna Inc. and Cox Media Group.
Sinclair has confirmed it will continue to pre-empt the show, even if Disney decides to lift the suspension. Nexstar is also expected to champion its decision, stating that it supports a constructive dialogue while remaining respectful to its audience.
It appears that Sinclair and Nexstar both have markets where they will not broadcast the show. Sinclair’s list includes cities like Birmingham, Alabama, and Charleston, South Carolina, while Nexstar’s includes Nashville, Tennessee, and Salt Lake City, Utah.
As of now, the Sinclair Broadcast Group mentioned ongoing discussions with ABC regarding the show’s potential return. Nexstar reiterated that they remain committed to prioritizing local news and programming.
To complicate matters further, Kimmel’s remarks last week likened the actions of an assassin to a certain ideology, which he described as “new lows.” Kirk was killed during an event at Utah Valley University earlier this month. His tragedy has sparked significant discussions in various media outlets.
Disney has yet to respond to inquiries about the situation.
