Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcast Group Announce Joint Decision Not to Air “Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Late-night Show Drama: Jimmy Kimmel Returns After Contentious Suspension

Los Angeles, CA – After a nearly week-long hiatus, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! is set to return to television Tuesday evening. The show’s return follows a significant controversy surrounding host Jimmy Kimmel’s comments regarding the fallout from the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.However, not all ABC affiliates are planning to broadcast the revived program, raising questions about the future of late-night television and the boundaries of free speech.

Network Divisions Fuel Return Dispute

Two major media conglomerates, Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group – which collectively control approximately one-quarter of ABC’s affiliate stations – have announced they will continue to preempt the show until assurances are provided regarding a commitment to respectful dialog. Nexstar’s decision highlights a growing tension between networks and local broadcasters concerning content standards. Sinclair, known for its conservative programming preferences, has also stated its intention to maintain the pre-emption, citing the importance of fostering a “respectful, constructive dialogue” within its markets.

Kimmel’s Initial Remarks and Network Response

Kimmel’s suspension stemmed from remarks made during a monologue last week where he criticized the characterization of the individual responsible for Kirk’s death. Specifically, Kimmel labeled the incident as an attempt by the “MAGA gang” to politically exploit a tragedy. Following a series of “thoughtful conversations” with the network, ABC announced Monday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would resume broadcasting. Responding to the reinstatement, late-night host Stephen Colbert joked on his CBS program, “Our long national late-night nightmare is over.”

Canadian Broadcasting Still Onboard

Despite the network-level disputes, Canadian broadcaster Citytv, which holds the rights to distribute the show in Canada, has confirmed it will continue airing Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Previously, Citytv had planned to replace the show with reruns of Hudson & Rex until the original program’s return. this signals a different approach to the controversy, prioritizing continued broadcast over aligning with network-level decisions.

Key Facts: The ABC Affiliate Situation

Company	Action	Rationale
Nexstar media Group	Pre-empting Show	Pending assurances of respectful dialogue
Sinclair Broadcast Group	Pre-empting Show	Maintaining commitment to respectful dialogue
Citytv (Rogers communications)	Continuing Broadcast	Maintaining regular programming schedule

The Bigger Picture: Free Speech and Media Control

This situation underscores the complex relationship between national networks, local broadcasters, and the ongoing debate surrounding freedom of speech in the media landscape. The reluctance of certain affiliates to air Jimmy kimmel Live! raises questions about the influence of corporate interests and the potential for content censorship, even within a domestically broadcast network.

The tension between national networks and local affiliates is an ongoing phenomenon. as media ownership continues to consolidate, these disputes are likely to become more frequent, highlighting the critical role played by local stations in shaping the news and entertainment options available to viewers. The debate about what constitutes “respectful dialogue” will undoubtedly remain a central theme in media discussions for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Why was Jimmy Kimmel suspended? A: he was suspended for comments he made during a monologue criticizing the way a shooting was being presented.
• Q: Which stations are refusing to air the show? A: Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group are pre-empting the show.
• Q: What’s Citytv’s stance on the situation? A: They’ve confirmed they will continue airing Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
• Q: What does “pre-empting” a show mean? A: Broadcasting something else in its place.
• Q: What is the impact of this controversy on freedom of speech? A: It highlights the potential for corporate control over media content and raises questions about the boundaries of acceptable commentary.
• Q: How many ABC affiliates are affected? A: Approximately one-quarter of ABC affiliates are impacted by the decision to pre-empt the show.
• Q: What are the potential consequences for the show? A: Reduced viewership and potential long-term shifts in programming strategy.

Do you think networks should have more say in what local affiliates broadcast? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

What are the primary factors contributing to the increasing tension between broadcasters and content providers like Disney-ABC regarding carriage fees?

Nexstar and Sinclair Drop “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” – What Viewers Need to Know

The Broadcast Blackout: A Joint Decision

In a surprising move impacting late-night television access, both Nexstar Media Group and sinclair Broadcast Group have announced they will no longer air “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” across their affiliated stations. This decision, finalized on September 23, 2025, removes the popular talk show from local broadcast television in numerous markets across the United States. The core issue revolves around carriage fee disputes with Disney-ABC Domestic Television, the distributor of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”.

This isn’t an isolated incident. Similar disputes have led to programming disruptions in the past, affecting channels like ESPN and ABC locally.the current situation highlights the ongoing tension between broadcasters and content providers regarding the value of programming and fair compensation.

Understanding the Carriage Fee Dispute

Carriage fees are payments made by television providers (like Nexstar and Sinclair) to broadcasters (like Disney-ABC) for the right to retransmit their signals.These fees have been steadily increasing,becoming a significant cost for broadcasters.

Here’s a breakdown of the key points in this dispute:

* Nexstar’s Position: Nexstar, which owns The CW (75% owned by Nexstar, as of recent reports), has publicly stated that Disney-ABC’s demands for increased carriage fees are unreasonable, particularly given the evolving media landscape and declining linear television viewership. They argue that the fees don’t align with the show’s ratings performance.

* Sinclair’s Alignment: Sinclair broadcast Group has echoed similar concerns, joining Nexstar in refusing to meet Disney-ABC’s financial requests. Sinclair operates a large network of local television stations and is a major player in the broadcast industry.

* Disney-ABC’s Stance: Disney-ABC maintains that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is a valuable asset and deserves appropriate compensation for its content. They point to the show’s continued popularity and its role in promoting other disney properties.

Impact on Viewers: How to Continue Watching

The immediate consequence of this decision is that viewers in affected markets will no longer be able to watch “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on their local Nexstar or Sinclair stations. Though, several alternative options remain:

1. Streaming Services: “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is available on various streaming platforms, including Hulu (which is majority-owned by Disney). A Hulu subscription provides on-demand access to episodes.
2. YouTube: The show’s official YouTube channel regularly uploads clips and full segments, offering a free way to catch highlights.
3. ABC Website/App: Episodes are frequently enough available on the ABC website and app, requiring a cable or streaming login.
4. Over-the-Air antenna: Depending on your location, you might be able to receive ABC directly through an over-the-air antenna.

The Broader Implications for the Broadcast Industry

This dispute between Nexstar, Sinclair, and Disney-ABC is symptomatic of larger shifts occurring within the television industry.

* Cord-Cutting: The increasing trend of “cord-cutting” – viewers canceling their traditional cable or satellite subscriptions in favor of streaming services – is weakening the bargaining power of traditional broadcasters.

* Rise of Streaming: The dominance of streaming platforms is forcing broadcasters to re-evaluate their business models and find new ways to generate revenue.

* Negotiating Leverage: These carriage fee disputes demonstrate the ongoing struggle for negotiating leverage between content providers and distributors. The future of local broadcasting may depend on finding a sustainable balance.

* Local News Impact: While this specifically impacts late-night entertainment, similar disputes could affect local news programming and other broadcast content, further impacting viewers’ access to facts.

Nexstar’s Recent Moves: College Football and Beyond

It’s worth noting that Nexstar has been actively diversifying its content offerings. As recently reported on September 23, 2025, The CW Network (75% owned by Nexstar) has announced its broadcast crews for the 2025 ACC and Pac-12 college football seasons. This move signals a strategic shift towards sports programming as a way to attract and retain viewers. This investment in college sports may be partially driven by the need to offset revenue losses from programming disputes like the one with Disney-ABC.

Sinclair’s Focus on Local Markets

Sinclair Broadcast Group has historically focused on strengthening its presence in local markets. Their strategy often involves acquiring local stations and investing in local news coverage.Though, even with this local focus, they are not immune to the pressures of the changing television landscape and the need to negotiate favorable carriage fee agreements.