Nexstar extends Jimmy Kimmel blackout as affiliate dispute stalls ABC return

Nexstar Media Group announced Wednesday that it will continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC stations while it evaluates the program’s status, effectively prolonging a blackout that began after host Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing. The move keeps the late-night show off air in dozens of markets as Nexstar works through the terms with ABC’s corporate parent and its partners. The company said the show would remain blocked on its ABC affiliates as discussions with Disney proceed, underscoring the broader fight over how much editorial or political content is carried by local stations in the ABC network.

Disney, which owns ABC, has been contending with two large affiliate groups that control significant chunks of ABC’s national reach. Sinclair Broadcast Group has already signaled that it would replace Kimmel with local news programming on its ABC outlets, while Nexstar has extended the blackout as it reconsiders the script and context of the program in relation to its communities. Together, Nexstar and Sinclair affiliates account for about a quarter of ABC’s national household reach, leaving millions of viewers unable to watch Kimmel’s return this week. The ongoing blackout has prompted viewers to seek updates via social media and local news, while the industry watches closely how this standoff will unfold across contracts and potential regulatory scrutiny.

The suspension occurred last week after a monologue in which Kimmel tied Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer to the so-called MAGA movement. The remark drew swift condemnation from conservative groups, political leaders and regulators, complicating Disney’s efforts to restore the program to air in markets controlled by Nexstar and Sinclair. In the weeks since, Sinclair said it would replace the show with locally produced news programming, a step that would effectively sideline Kimmel in its markets unless Disney and the affiliates resolve their differences. Nexstar, in turn, said it would keep the program off the air while evaluating the situation, citing community standards and the need to reflect the diverse interests of the audiences served by its stations. The standoff reflects a broader clash between the network owner and large affiliate groups over how content is distributed and what constitutes a responsible airing of political commentary across local markets.

Industry observers say the dispute could spawn litigation as affiliates withhold or delay fees and challenge contract obligations tied to carriage of network programming. Several lawyers and former government officials have noted that major deals — including Nexstar’s roughly $6 billion Signa acquisition and Disney’s bid for the NFL Network — require Federal Communications Commission oversight and approvals, potentially giving FCC Chairman Brendan Carr additional leverage as he has publicly questioned whether certain programming choices fall within public-interest considerations. Sources familiar with the matter told The Post that a court battle could be likely if negotiations fail to produce a path for Kimmel’s return, with the affiliates using contractual provisions and fee structures as leverage.

Disney has floated the possibility of alternative distribution routes should affiliates refuse to air Kimmel. One option discussed privately involves routing the show through secondary networks instead of ABC’s primary channels, potentially leveraging nonoperated or affiliate channels that still carry ABC content in certain markets. The idea would be to preserve access to Kimmel for viewers while avoiding a direct clash with the affiliates’ postures on air. However, implementing such a shift would require regulatory clearances and could complicate brand alignment for ABC’s nightly lineup, particularly if the secondary distribution does not carry the same ad revenue or sponsorship impact as the main network feed.

Despite the ongoing blackout, some insiders cautioned that Disney would remain committed to Kimmel because of the broader financial ecosystem surrounding the show. Even with declining ratings and reported annual losses in the tens of millions, the program drives affiliate fees, online viewership, and sponsorship revenue that may justify continued carriage. The New York Post reported that insiders said Disney values those revenue streams and the program’s long-term brand significance, complicating any immediate decision to pull the show from ABC entirely. Disney and Sinclair did not respond to requests for comment, while Nexstar indicated ongoing discussions with Disney and its affiliates to resolve the matter in a way that serves the communities they reach.

The dispute comes as both sides prepare for what could be a lengthy regulatory or legal process. In addition to questions of distribution rights and contractual obligations, the case touches on how broadcasters balance editorial content with the expectations of local stations and the communities they serve. The timeline remains fluid: last week’s suspension, followed by renewed talks, then Nexstar’s confirmation of the continued blackout as discussions unfold. For now, Kimmel’s ABC return remains uncertain in many markets, with viewers in large metro areas still unable to watch the host’s program.

As the standoff continues, industry watchers will monitor the interplay between affiliate ownership, network strategy, and regulatory oversight. The outcome could set a precedent for how editorially sensitive content is handled across national networks and their local outlets, especially in an era of intensified political messaging and growing scrutiny of media businesses. For viewers, the question remains whether a resolution will emerge in time for Kimmel’s late-night slot this week or if the blackout will extend further into the fall. In the meantime, audiences are encouraged to check local listings and official station portals for the latest carriage status and potential alternative viewing options.