"It's the inevitable result of industry consolidation that over years has built giant corporations with wide-ranging interests. ABC owner Walt Disney Co., a massive organization with far-flung operations, frequently seeks federal regulatory approval to expand, buy or sell businesses or acquire licenses. And the Trump administration has not spared the company from investigations, opening multiple inquiries in just the past few months to probe possible antitrust, programming and hiring violations."
"Kimmel was suspended from his show this week following comments suggesting that fans of Charlie Kirk were trying to capitalize on the conservative activist's assassination. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr called the remarks "truly sick" and suggested his agency would look into them. Carr answers to President Donald Trump, who's already on record as disliking Kimmel's comedy. Two companies that operate roughly a quarter of ABC affiliates nationwide, Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting, also said they would not air Kimmel's show."
The decision about Jimmy Kimmel's ABC show involves far more than comedic content. Disney faces regulatory scrutiny and multiple inquiries from the Trump administration into potential antitrust, programming and hiring violations. ABC's large corporate scope means frequent federal approvals for acquisitions, licenses and business changes. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel's remarks and indicated the agency might investigate. Two large station operators, Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting, refused to air the show. Disney previously paid $15 million to settle Trump's defamation suit against ABC News and altered some diversity and inclusion practices. The confluence of politics, regulators and affiliate decisions complicates the outcome.
Read at Fortune
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