Nexstar and Sinclair Station Groups Say They Won’t Air Jimmy Kimmel
Comedian Blocked From One Fourth of Country
The decision means that roughly 34 percent of ABC’s 205 affiliates will not air the late-night show.
Nexstar Media Group said it would continue to preempt the show, "pending assurances that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve."
Sinclair Broadcast Group said it would also keep Kimmel off its stations. The two corporations collectively control about a quarter of ABC affiliates.
Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, the organization founded by Kirk and now headed by his widow, posted on X that "Disney and ABC caving and allowing Kimmel back on the air is not surprising, but it’s their mistake to make."
Trump-appointed Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr last week said it appeared that Kimmel was trying to "directly mislead the American public" with his remarks about Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Utah man charged with Kirk's killing, and his motives.
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Carr said before ABC announced the suspension. "These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead."
Trump's administration has used threats, lawsuits and federal government pressure to try to exert more control over the media industry. Trump sued ABC and CBS over news coverage, which the companies settled. Trump has also filed defamation lawsuits against The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, and successfully urged Congress to strip federal funding from NPR and PBS.
The decision means that roughly 34 percent of ABC’s 205 affiliates will not air the late-night show.
Nexstar Media Group said it would continue to preempt the show, "pending assurances that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve."
Sinclair Broadcast Group said it would also keep Kimmel off its stations. The two corporations collectively control about a quarter of ABC affiliates.
Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, the organization founded by Kirk and now headed by his widow, posted on X that "Disney and ABC caving and allowing Kimmel back on the air is not surprising, but it’s their mistake to make."
Trump-appointed Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr last week said it appeared that Kimmel was trying to "directly mislead the American public" with his remarks about Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Utah man charged with Kirk's killing, and his motives.
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Carr said before ABC announced the suspension. "These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead."
Trump's administration has used threats, lawsuits and federal government pressure to try to exert more control over the media industry. Trump sued ABC and CBS over news coverage, which the companies settled. Trump has also filed defamation lawsuits against The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, and successfully urged Congress to strip federal funding from NPR and PBS.
70-79, M
