"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.""
Disney is returning Jimmy Kimmel Live!, but Nexstar and Sinclair said many ABC affiliates will preempt the show and air alternative programming in that timeslot. Those groups control roughly one quarter of ABC stations, producing blackouts in major markets including Portland, New Orleans, Nashville, Salt Lake City, Richmond, and Seattle, reducing national broadcast reach. Nexstar emphasized that the program will remain available on Disney-owned streaming services. FCC Chair Brendan Carr urged broadcasters to act but denied federal influence. Nexstar and Sinclair said they support a suspension pending assurances of respectful dialogue, with Sinclair replacing the show with news while it evaluates a potential return.
Read at The Verge
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]