Sinclair, Nexstar Move to Preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live, Replacing It with Local News After Charlie Kirk Controversy
Two major ABC affiliate owners, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group, have begun preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across markets, replacing it with expanded local news after ABC reinstated Kimmel following a suspension over remarks about the Charlie Kirk shooting.
Key takeaways
- Sinclair and Nexstar have stopped airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! on many ABC affiliates, opting for expanded local news in affected timeslots.
- The move affects roughly one-quarter of ABC’s affiliate footprint; Sinclair controls about 38 ABC stations and Nexstar about 33.
- Affiliates cited Kimmel’s remarks as “ill-timed and insensitive” and requested assurances that programming will support respectful, constructive dialogue.
- Disney says the show remains available nationally via streaming platforms for viewers in markets where affiliates drop the broadcast.
What happened
Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group announced they will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! on many ABC affiliates after ABC (owned by Disney) returned host Jimmy Kimmel to the air following a brief suspension tied to comments about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Coverage of the decision has been reported by Los Angeles Times, CBS News, and Fox Business.
Scope
The preemptions affect roughly a quarter of ABC’s affiliate footprint. Industry tallies indicate Sinclair operates about 38 ABC stations and Nexstar about 33, including stations in major markets such as Nashville and Seattle, according to reporting compiled by IMDb and CBS News.
Why station groups say they acted
Both station groups framed their decisions as being in the interests of local viewers. Company statements called Kimmel’s remarks “ill-timed and insensitive” and stressed that affiliates must reflect the values of the communities they serve. The groups said they want programming that fosters respectful, constructive dialogue rather than immediately returning to a host whose comments drew widespread criticism (Los Angeles Times; Barrett Media).
Programming changes on the ground
Stations dropping the late-night program are filling the hour with expanded local news and locally produced content. Examples include longer local newscasts, special reports and community-focused shows; stations say this increases airtime for issues like public safety and local government coverage (Fox Business; IMDb).
“As affiliate owners, we have the right — and the duty — to choose how to fill hours in our markets,” stations said, emphasizing local control over programming choices.
Streaming option
Disney has said the show remains available nationally via streaming platforms for viewers who want to watch Jimmy Kimmel, creating a split landscape where over-the-air viewers in many markets will not see the broadcast while streaming subscribers can still access it (IMDb).
Market reach and numbers
Combined, Sinclair and Nexstar control a significant portion of ABC affiliates — roughly 38 and 33 stations respectively — which together cover about one-quarter of ABC’s national footprint. In affected markets, advertisers and viewers will face different inventory and programming during the late-night hour (IMDb; CBS News).
Network-affiliate tensions
The dispute highlights enduring tensions between networks and large station groups. While ABC/Disney controls show content and staffing, local station owners retain market power to alter network feeds when national decisions conflict with local expectations. The standoff illustrates how affiliates can push back against network-level choices (Los Angeles Times; CBS News).
Political and cultural context
The controversy traces back to the September 10 shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a Utah event and Kimmel’s subsequent remarks, which prompted ABC to suspend the show beginning Sept. 17. After review, Disney reinstated Kimmel, prompting some affiliates to push back that the return did not align with community standards (Los Angeles Times; CBS News).
Business implications and regulatory notes
The dispute carries business implications. Nexstar is pursuing regulatory approval for a $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna; if approved, that deal would further increase Nexstar’s market reach and leverage in negotiations with networks and advertisers, making the standoff emblematic of growing station-group power (CBS News).
Implications for the United States
Economic effects: Preemptions shift advertising inventory and local revenue streams. Stations airing extra local news can sell local ad time to regional businesses, altering national ad buys for ABC and regional marketing strategies (Fox Business; CBS News).
Political consequences: The move demonstrates how media companies with conservative-leaning audiences can assert programming control. It may energize conservative viewers and fuel debates about media bias, cancel culture and corporate accountability, while also raising policy questions about consolidation and localism (Los Angeles Times; CBS News).
Social effects: Viewers in affected markets will see more local news in a late-night slot — welcomed by some, and seen as a loss of a national entertainment option by others, potentially pushing viewers toward streaming (IMDb; Fox Business).
Cultural relevance and practical impact
This episode underscores how a single controversial moment — the Charlie Kirk incident and Kimmel’s subsequent remarks — can ripple through schedules, advertiser plans and viewer choices nationwide. Households relying on free over-the-air ABC programming will notice an immediate change; late-night viewers may need streaming subscriptions to continue watching the show in affected markets (Los Angeles Times; IMDb).
Reporting note
This story draws on reporting from Los Angeles Times, CBS News, Fox Business, IMDb and Barrett Media.
