Nexstar evaluating show status for ABC stations

Nexstar Media Group Evaluates Future of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC-Affiliate Stations

Nexstar Media Group, a leading broadcast station owner, has announced that it is continuing to assess whether to bring back “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to its ABC-affiliated stations. This decision comes after the late-night show returned to the Disney-owned network on Tuesday, following a temporary suspension of production. The suspension was prompted by comments made by host Jimmy Kimmel that linked the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement.

Nexstar’s ABC-affiliated broadcast TV stations did not air Kimmel’s return to late night on Tuesday, leaving many viewers unable to watch the show on their local station. The company stated that it is engaged in productive discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company, focusing on ensuring that the program reflects and respects the diverse interests of the communities it serves. Nexstar, along with fellow station owner Sinclair, owns about 70 ABC affiliate stations in the U.S., covering a significant portion of the country.

Background on the Suspension and Preemption

Last week, ABC parent Disney temporarily suspended production on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” due to the controversy surrounding Kimmel’s comments. The suspension was followed by an announcement from Nexstar that it would not air the program, citing concerns over the show’s content. Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr also suggested that ABC affiliate stations could be at risk of losing their broadcast licenses over Kimmel’s comments. Kimmel addressed the situation during his monologue on Tuesday, stating that it was never his intention to make light of the murder of a young man and that he doesn’t think there’s anything funny about it.

The comedian’s monologue acknowledged that the show was not being broadcast in 20% of the country, which is not a situation he relishes. Despite the preemption, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is still available to viewers in most of the country. The show features a diverse lineup of guests, including celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians, and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band. As Nexstar continues to evaluate the status of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on its ABC-affiliated local television stations, the show will be preempted until a decision is made.