Jimmy Kimmel still isn’t coming back to many ABC stations in the US
Disney is bringing back Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, but a notable chunk of ABC affiliates won’t air the new episodes. Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcasting — which control about one quarter of local ABC stations, according to Deadline — announced that they will continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! and air different programming in that…
Disney is bringing back Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, but a notable chunk of ABC affiliates won’t air the new episodes. Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcasting — which control about one quarter of local ABC stations, according to Deadline — announced that they will continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! and air different programming in that timeslot instead.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that Sinclair owns or controls 38 ABC affiliates, while Nexstar operates 28 stations. The blackout means the show won’t air in several major markets across the US, including Portland, Oregon; New Orleans, Louisiana; Nashville, Tennessee; Salt Lake City, Utah; Richmond, Virginia; Seattle, Washington, and others, accounting for around 25 percent of the US TV audience. Nexstar says Jimmy Kimmel Live! will still be available “nationwide on multiple Disney-owned streaming products.”
During the Concordia Annual Summit on Monday, Carr denied that the FCC influenced decisions around the show, claiming, “Jimmy Kimmel is in the situation that he’s in because of his ratings, not because of anything that’s happened at the federal government level,” as reported by Variety.
Nexstar issued a statement on Tuesday saying the broadcaster stands by Disney’s original decision to suspend the show “pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue.” Sinclair similarly said that its affiliates will replace Jimmy Kimmel Live! with news programming while it evaluates the “potential return” of the show.
