66 ABC Affiliates Will Not Air Jimmy Kimmel Following Nexstar's Decision

Nexstar Media Group has confirmed that 66 ABC affiliate stations will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! following the host's controversial comments regarding Charlie Kirk. This decision affects approximately 25 percent of ABC's total viewership and 33 to 40 percent of Kimmel's audience, according to Fox Business.

Explainer Local Stations Challenge Hollywood With Suspension of Kimmel's Show

The announcement from Nexstar comes shortly after Sinclair Broadcast Group made a similar decision, highlighting a growing trend among local affiliates to assert control over their programming. Nexstar, which operates over 200 stations and reaches around 220 million viewers, stated that it made the decision to preempt Kimmel's show due to what it described as "ill-timed and insensitive" remarks made by the host.

In a statement, Nexstar said, "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."

Kimmel's comments have drawn criticism, with some alleging that they misrepresented the circumstances surrounding Kirk's situation. Critics argue that Kimmel's remarks were not just inappropriate but also misleading, suggesting a narrative that Kirk's alleged assailant was a Trump supporter, despite evidence to the contrary.

Disney, which owns ABC, initially suspended Kimmel for five days but reinstated him shortly thereafter. This rapid reinstatement has raised questions about the network's commitment to addressing the concerns raised by local affiliates.

Local affiliate owners are increasingly seeking reforms from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow for more localized content that aligns with community interests. Nexstar's decision reflects a broader movement among affiliates to prioritize local news and programming over content perceived as disconnected from their audiences.

As FCC Chairman Brendan Carr noted, there is a need to enforce public interest obligations for broadcasters. Carr has indicated that he is exploring ways to ensure that local stations can produce content that resonates more with their viewers, rather than relying solely on programming from major networks.

Nathan Leamer, a media strategist and former policy advisor to the FCC, commented on the situation, stating, "They recognize that they need to grab every dollar, and they do not want conservatives to be able to push back and tell their story through different narratives."

The ongoing debate over Kimmel's comments and the subsequent actions taken by Nexstar and Sinclair illustrate a significant shift in the landscape of local broadcasting. As affiliates push for more control over their content, the implications for national programming and local viewership dynamics remain to be seen.

This situation underscores the tensions between local affiliates and national networks, particularly in an era where media consumption is increasingly polarized. The decisions made by Nexstar and Sinclair may set a precedent for how local stations navigate their relationships with larger media corporations in the future.