Conservative ABC Affiliates Refuse to Air Jimmy Kimmel Live!

"While Jimmy Kimmel is set to return today from his ABC suspension, many Americans won't be able to watch, as TV affiliate giants Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group have announced that they will refuse to air Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the TV stations they own. Both the Sinclair and Nexstar ownership groups are conservative. Sinclair boss David Smith told Donald Trump in 2016, "We are here to deliver your message," and has backed him ever since."

"ABC suspended him following explicit threats from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who said, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." Sinclair initially announced that it would replace Jimmy Kimmel Live! with a tribute to Charlie Kirk, though the group later backed down. They have also demanded that Kimmel issue an apology, as well as "a meaningful personal donation" to both Kirk's family and his political group, Turning Points USA."

"Nexstar hasn't issued ultimatums, but it is currently attempting to close a $6.2 billion merger with Tegna, another affiliate station owner. The merger would likely violate antitrust laws and therefore requires FCC approval. ABC and parent company Disney have also been under fire from the left for the handling of the Kimmel saga. Over the last week, over 400 celebrities signed an open letter calling Kimmel's suspension "a dark moment for freedom of speech,""

Jimmy Kimmel is set to return from an ABC suspension while two major affiliate owners, Nexstar and Sinclair, announced they will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! on stations they control. Sinclair and Nexstar are conservative ownership groups with public ties to Republican politics. Kimmel's comments about the MAGA response to Charlie Kirk's assassination prompted controversy and an ABC suspension after threats from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Sinclair demanded an apology and a "meaningful personal donation" to Kirk and Turning Points USA. Nexstar is pursuing a $6.2 billion Tegna merger that raises antitrust and FCC approval concerns. ABC and Disney have faced left‑wing backlash including celebrity cancellations and an open letter.

Read at Consequence