Nexstar - Sinclair Kimmel Statement
Segment #610
Kimmel’s insensitive monologue was stupid and he should have apologized. Ultimately all the players now are acting out a little drama that has nothing to do with taste, morality, or for that matter politics. Its about the money and the last thing you want to do is make your affiliates mad. See the timeline below. Kimmel basically told them he could care less about their bottom line. Kimmel is toast and soon like Colbert, he will disappear. Everybody will save a little face. Some will make Kimmel and Colbert martyrs, but basically no one will care. Kimmel will pay the same price that other “Hollywood” types pay when they lecture us. It is sweet justice when basically no one cares..
An interesting take from Adam Carolla on affiliates
Overview of the Controversy In the past six months (since March 2025),
Jimmy Kimmel has faced escalating criticism from ABC's local affiliates, culminating in a major backlash over his September 15, 2025, monologue comments on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel suggested the accused shooter, Tyler Robinson, might have been aligned with the MAGA movement and President Trump's politics, which conservatives labeled as misleading and insensitive—especially after authorities revealed Robinson had "leaned left" recently and targeted Kirk for his views.
This led to widespread affiliate boycotts, FCC pressure, and a temporary suspension of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*. While the show returned on September 23, many affiliates continue to preempt it, affecting over 20% of ABC's local reach. Affiliates' unhappiness stems from viewer complaints, lost ad revenue, and fears of regulatory scrutiny amid pending mergers (e.g., Nexstar's $6.2B Tegna deal). This isn't isolated;
Kimmel's ratings have declined 72% among key demographics over the past decade, amplifying tensions. Broader late-night shakeups, like CBS canceling *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* in July 2025, have heightened industry anxiety.
July 18, 2025 | Kimmel publicly blasts CBS over Colbert's cancellation, calling it "F–k you, CBS" in solidarity. | Kimmel, Colbert, CBS | Signals growing late-night instability; Trump predicts Kimmel is "next to go."
September 15, 2025 | Kimmel's monologue on Kirk's killing airs, sparking immediate conservative outrage (e.g., Megyn Kelly calls it a "vile, disgusting lie"). | Kimmel, Kirk's family, Trump supporters | Viewer backlash begins; affiliates report complaints.
September 17, 2025 | Nexstar (10% of ABC affiliates) announces indefinite preemption, citing "offensive and insensitive" comments. | Nexstar, FCC Chair Brendan Carr | First major boycott; Carr praises it as "doing the right thing" and threatens license reviews.
September 18, 2025 | ABC suspends show "indefinitely"; Sinclair joins preemption on 35+ stations. | ABC/Disney, Sinclair | Affects ~20% of U.S. households; Kimmel silent initially. Late-night hosts (Colbert, Stewart, Meyers, Fallon, Letterman) decry it as a "blatant assault on free speech."
September 22, 2025 | ABC reinstates show for September 23 return after "thoughtful conversations" with Kimmel. | ABC/Disney, Kimmel | Protests from liberals help reverse suspension, but affiliates unmoved.
September 23, 2025 | Sinclair and Nexstar confirm continued preemption, replacing with news/specials (e.g., Kirk remembrance). | Sinclair, Nexstar | Show airs nationally but blacked out in key markets (e.g., Seattle); Trump calls reinstatement "great news for America" reversed.
September 24, 2025 | Kimmel returns tearfully, calling out "anti-American" threats to free speech; available on Hulu but not all locals. Sen. Elizabeth Warren probes "potential corruption" in affiliates' deals. | Kimmel, Warren, FCC | Affiliates stand firm; ongoing discussions with ABC.
Why Affiliates Are Unhappy -
Viewer Backlash and Revenue Loss: Stations like those owned by Sinclair (largest ABC group) and Nexstar received floods of complaints from conservative audiences, their core demo in many markets. Preempting avoids alienating advertisers; one X user noted, "Viewer complaints took unfunny Jimmy off the air, not the government. It’s good business." Kimmel's show was already hemorrhaging viewers (down 72% in adults 18-49 since 2015). -
Regulatory Pressure: FCC Chair Brendan Carr (Trump appointee) called Kimmel's remarks "truly sick" and hinted at license revocations for "misleading the public," pressuring affiliates with FCC approvals pending. However, affiliates acted first, framing it as protecting "community values." -
Business Incentives: Nexstar and Sinclair control 200+ stations; boycotting signals to regulators they're "fostering respectful dialogue." Critics like Sen. Warren argue it's quid pro quo for merger approvals under Trump. -
Longer-Term Gripes: Affiliates have chafed at Kimmel's "toxic brand" for months, per X discussions, including his July rant against CBS and perceived liberal bias. One post: "ABC affiliates were unhappy with him long before the FCC chief said anything."
Broader Implications This exposes TV's fragile ecosystem:
Networks like ABC rely on affiliates for 80% of reach, but locals prioritize local ads and viewers. Kimmel's return is partial—streamers like Hulu fill gaps, but traditional TV suffers. Free speech debates rage: Liberals see Trump/FCC censorship; conservatives view it as market correction for "hate speech." Trump celebrated: "I hope I played a major part in it!" As of today, no resolution; affiliates demand apologies or donations to Kirk's family/Turning Point USA. If this persists, it could force ABC to renegotiate or shift to streaming, accelerating late-night's decline. For now, affiliates' stance substantiates claims of deep unhappiness—rooted in politics, profits, and principle.