Nexstar, Sinclair keep Jimmy Kimmel preemption as Disney ends suspension

On Tuesday, Nexstar Media Group said it will continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC-affiliate stations even as Disney allowed the late-night program to resume on ABC. Nexstar said it made the decision last week to pull the show after what ABC characterized as Kimmel’s “ill-timed and insensitive” comments at a critical moment in national discourse, and it will maintain the preemption pending assurances that all parties are committed to fostering respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets the company serves. In the meantime, Kimmel's show will be available nationwide on Disney-owned streaming products, while Nexstar's stations will focus on local news and other programming relevant to their markets.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, which operates 30 ABC affiliates, announced Monday it would also continue to preempt the program and replace it with news programming beginning Tuesday. The company said discussions with ABC are ongoing as it evaluates the show's potential return.

Kimmel's remarks about the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk triggered a backlash among conservatives and others who argued the comments were inappropriate, and drew a veiled threat from the Federal Communications Commission. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the remarks represented some of the “sickest conduct” he had seen and signaled potential avenues the agency could pursue. Disney announced Kimmel's return on Monday, and he is expected to address the controversy on Tuesday's show.

Kimmel's return to ABC is set for Tuesday, but Nexstar and Sinclair affiliates will not carry it. The show will resume on ABC nationwide, but the two groups have indicated they will continue to preempt on their local stations as discussions with ABC continue about any broader return.

Nexstar is the largest local television broadcasting group in the U.S., with more than 200 owned or partner stations that serve about 220 million people in 116 markets. Last month, Nexstar announced a deal to acquire broadcast media company Tegna for $6.2 billion, a move the company says will help ensure the viability of local news and programming. Nexstar noted that its station footprint overlaps with Tegna in 35 of Tegna's 51 market areas, while also boosting its affiliate network in key election markets like Phoenix, Atlanta, Toledo, Ohio, and Portland, Maine, to increase political advertising revenue. The acquisition requires the approval of the FCC.

This is a developing story as broadcasters navigate conflicts between national programming decisions and local-market responsibilities, and as regulatory reviews of Nexstar’s Tegna deal proceed.