As millions eagerly anticipate Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night television this Tuesday, a significant number of viewers may find themselves unable to tune in. This isn’t just due to the show’s timing; local ABC stations, primarily owned by Nexstar and Sinclair, have decided to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely.
Nexstar’s announcement, made today, aligns their plans with Sinclair, a decision impacting more than 23 percent of ABC-affiliated television stations across the country. For those depending on these affiliates, local news will take precedence over Kimmel’s much-anticipated return.
This predicament arises after Kimmel’s show was suspended last week due to comments made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death. Just a day before, Disney, the parent company of ABC, had confirmed Kimmel’s rescheduled premiere following mounting pressures from various entities.
The preemptions, led by Nexstar and Sinclair, sparked considerable debate regarding free speech rights, with many politicians, advocates, and stars voicing their support for Kimmel. Following vehement calls for a Disney boycott, which rapidly gained traction on social media, Disney announced the show’s return just prior to the latest round of preemptions.
Will Your Local ABC Station Air Jimmy Kimmel Live!?
If your local ABC station is part of Nexstar or Sinclair, unfortunately, you will miss Kimmel’s comeback. Sinclair operates 38 ABC stations, including those in major markets like Washington, D.C., Seattle, and St. Louis. To find a complete list of their affiliates, visit Wikipedia.
Nexstar owns 28 ABC stations located in cities such as Salt Lake City and Nashville. You can view the full list of Nexstar’s stations at Wikipedia.
The Timeline of the Jimmy Kimmel Controversy
The controversy began the week of September 10, following the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk. As details of the incident unfolded and speculation grew, many conservative commentators claimed that the shooter was motivated by leftist ideologies.
On September 15, Kimmel directly challenged these narratives during his routine. He stated, “We hit some new lows… the MAGA gang is desperately trying to characterize this person as anything other than one of them.”
Days later, on September 17, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr made a firm declaration to conservative commentator Benny Johnson, implying that action could be taken against Kimmel if the situation did not improve. The FCC holds significant authority over broadcast licenses, potentially influencing decisions regarding shows like Kimmel’s.
Shortly after Carr’s comments, Nexstar and Sinclair announced their decision to preempt Kimmel’s show, a move that ultimately led ABC to suspend the program. Sinclair went further, asserting that simply suspending the show was not enough and demanded additional action from both ABC and the FCC.
With this unfolding drama, many viewers are left wondering just how much of late-night television will be accessible moving forward.
How can I find out if my local ABC station will air the show? You can check if your local ABC station is owned by Nexstar or Sinclair and, unfortunately, anticipate that Kimmel’s airing will not be available to you.
What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk’s shooting that caused this controversy? Kimmel criticized the attempts by conservative figures to link the shooter’s motivations to left-wing ideology, putting forward a strong defense of his stance on political narratives.
What steps did Disney take regarding Jimmy Kimmel Live!? Initially responding to public and political pressure, Disney announced a temporary suspension of the show, only to reverse that decision shortly thereafter, amid mounting backlash and calls for a boycott.
What justification did Nexstar give for preempting the show? Nexstar emphasized its stance by labeling Kimmel’s comments as “ill-timed and insensitive,” which influenced their decision to pull the show from airwaves.
In this fluctuating landscape of late-night programming, Jimmy Kimmel’s return is fraught with complications, leaving viewers in a state of uncertainty. The dynamics surrounding this controversy reflect broader concerns about media and free speech. For further discussions and insights on entertainment and media, visit Moyens I/O.