Core Viewpoint - Disney's reinstatement of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has intensified the conflict between ABC and local TV broadcasters Sinclair and Nexstar, who collectively own nearly a third of ABC affiliate stations in the US and have decided not to air the show, opting instead for local news [1][2]. Group 1: ABC's Situation - ABC suspended "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" indefinitely due to backlash from Sinclair and Nexstar, as well as pressure from FCC chair Brendan Carr, who threatened to review local broadcast licenses if the show continued to air [2]. - If Sinclair and Nexstar do not air Kimmel's show, ABC's audience may decline, potentially leading to "makegoods" for ad buyers and a long-term decrease in ad rates, further impacting ABC's already declining TV revenue [3]. Group 2: Local Broadcasters' Risks - Local broadcasters may face backlash for boycotting Kimmel, as viewers who support him might turn to streaming services, resulting in a loss of audience for local TV [4]. - Sinclair and Nexstar experienced a decline in ad revenue, with Sinclair's revenue falling by 6% and Nexstar's by 9% in the second quarter, as viewers continue to migrate away from traditional TV [5]. Group 3: Industry Dynamics - Sinclair and Nexstar have gained significant power through consolidation, with Sinclair owning or operating 185 stations and 646 channels, including 40 ABC affiliates, while Nexstar has about 30 ABC affiliates among its 201 stations [11]. - The consolidation has provided these broadcasters with leverage to negotiate better terms and influence ABC's programming, especially in light of perceived biases in late-night TV [12][18]. Group 4: Political Influence - Both Sinclair and Nexstar have conservative-leaning ownership, which may influence their decision to boycott Kimmel's show, reflecting a broader trend of local broadcasters seeking more power in their relationships with networks [16][18]. - Sinclair has made demands for Kimmel's show to return, including an apology to Charlie Kirk's family, indicating a desire to correct perceived biases in late-night programming [17]. Group 5: Late-Night TV Landscape - The late-night TV format is under pressure from both political influences and a challenging business model, with CBS recently canceling Stephen Colbert's show due to financial losses [18]. - Analysts suggest that the decision to deplatform Kimmel aligns with a broader trend of declining relevance for late-night TV, which is seen as less culturally impactful than before [19].

Core Points - Disney's decision to reinstate Jimmy Kimmel's show has not significantly improved CEO Bob Iger's reputation, as the situation remains contentious and unresolved [1][2][3] - The reinstatement has led to mixed reactions, with some ABC affiliates opting to air alternative programming instead of Kimmel's show, indicating ongoing tensions within the network [2][3] - Iger's legacy is at stake, as the outcome of the Kimmel saga could define how he is remembered as a leader, balancing corporate interests with public sentiment [3][4][5] Company Actions - Disney's reinstatement of Kimmel was partly a response to backlash from the creative community and potential boycotts, highlighting the company's struggle to maintain its core values while addressing shareholder concerns [12][18] - The decision to suspend Kimmel initially raised questions about Disney's commitment to free speech and its willingness to stand against external pressures, particularly from the FCC [14][15] - The reinstatement of Kimmel is seen as a move to mitigate reputational damage, even if it results in lost advertising revenue due to affiliate decisions [18] Industry Context - The entertainment industry is increasingly polarized, with Disney becoming a focal point in cultural debates, particularly regarding its representation of diverse characters and themes [21] - Iger's leadership has been characterized by a commitment to the creator class, but the Kimmel situation has complicated his efforts to navigate the current cultural landscape [19][20] - The ongoing conflict between corporate profitability and public perception poses challenges for Disney, as it seeks to balance shareholder interests with the expectations of its creative talent [6][12]

Some Disney subscribers may see the price of their streaming plans increase next month. The media giant said it plans to raise the price of select Disney+ subscriptions, including the entry-level plan, by $2 to $3 starting October 21. The change is also set to impact bundle deals with other streamers like ESPN, Hulu, and more. ...

Core Insights - Nvidia plans to invest $100 billion in OpenAI, providing access to 10 gigawatts of high-powered GPUs to support OpenAI's growth strategy in AI [1][5] - The deal highlights a significant challenge in the AI race: access to electricity, as the US power grid is already strained by data center construction [3][4] - OpenAI's deal with Nvidia emphasizes the need for infrastructure, including chips, data centers, and electricity, to develop and commercialize AI effectively [5][21] Investment and Infrastructure - The US power grid is under pressure, with utilities reporting a need for approximately 60 gigawatts of new power to support new data centers by the end of the decade [4] - The addition of 10 gigawatts of demand from OpenAI would be comparable to the power load of New York City at its summer peak [3] - The construction pipeline for new data centers has seen a 17.5% decline, with 5.2 gigawatts underway in prime US markets, primarily due to power access limitations [13] Challenges and Solutions - Limited access to power is described as "the silent bottleneck" hindering Big Tech's AI ambitions [6] - Data centers face regulatory and financial hurdles when connecting to the power grid, complicating their ability to meet skyrocketing demand [7] - Some data center operators are bypassing public utilities by building their own on-site power plants, as seen with the Stargate site in Abilene [19] Strategic Moves - Experts view the Nvidia-OpenAI deal as a strategic move to solidify both companies' positions as leaders in AI [21] - The tech industry is encouraged to innovate solutions for the power problem, with significant investments in emerging energy technologies like hydrogen fuel cells and nuclear fusion [20] - Despite current challenges, there is optimism that the power issue will be resolved due to the high stakes involved in AI development [22]

Nexstar Media Group, one of the nation's largest local TV station owners, said it will continue to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" ahead of the show's return. "We made a decision last week to preempt 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel's 'ill-timed and insensitive' comments at a critical time in our national discourse," Nexstar said in a statement Tuesday. "We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constr ...

Spirit Airlines said it will furlough about one-third of its flight attendants as the budget carrier struggles to survive its second bankruptcy in less than a year. About 1,800 of Spirit's roughly 5,200 flight attendants will be affected, with involuntary furloughs set to take effect on December 1."As part of our ongoing restructuring, we are taking steps to align staffing with our fleet size and expected flight volume," the airline said in a statement to Business Insider. "We recognize the impact of this ...

Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr has defended the ABC affiliate that won't show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" despite the broadcaster reinstating the late-night star. In an X post on Tuesday, Carr said it was "a good thing" that "any local TV stations have pushed back on a national programmer like Disney," which is ABC's owner."After all, local TV stations—not the national programmers—have public interest obligations, and they should be making decisions that in their view meets the needs of thei ...

Core Viewpoint - Sinclair will not air "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its ABC affiliate stations, opting instead for news programming following Disney's announcement of the show's return [1] Group 1 - Sinclair's decision to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is part of ongoing discussions with ABC regarding the show's potential return [1] - The company announced the change in programming through a statement posted on X [1]

Core Insights - Nvidia plans to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI to develop AI data centers, creating 10 gigawatts of capacity using Nvidia's chips [1] - Following the announcement, Nvidia's stock increased by 4%, indicating positive market sentiment [1] - The scale of the investment is significant, with $100 billion being a substantial amount even for large corporations [2] Investment Details - The investment will enable the construction of AI data centers that are crucial for powering OpenAI's AI technologies [1] - The 10 gigawatts of data center capacity is equivalent to Nvidia's expected total shipments for the year, highlighting the magnitude of the investment [1] Market Context - The financial landscape for AI investments is rapidly expanding, with reports of Sam Altman seeking up to $7 trillion for infrastructure projects in the UAE [2]

Core Points - Disney announced that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will resume airing after a brief suspension due to controversial comments made by Kimmel, which were deemed insensitive at a sensitive time for the country [2][3] - The suspension of Kimmel became a significant cultural issue, attracting criticism from various sectors, including Hollywood and free speech advocates, highlighting the complexities of the broadcast TV industry [3][11] - The controversy was sparked by comments made by FCC chair Brendan Carr regarding Kimmel's remarks about the death of Charlie Kirk, which led to pressure from major companies like Sinclair and Nexstar [4][6] Company Actions - ABC, owned by Disney, initially suspended Kimmel's show to mitigate tensions following the controversial comments, but after discussions with Kimmel, decided to resume the show [3][2] - Sinclair and Nexstar exerted pressure on ABC to take action against Kimmel, with Sinclair demanding an apology and a donation to Kirk's family and Turning Point USA [10][6] - The situation has implications for Nexstar, which is seeking FCC approval for a $6.2 billion merger and thus faced heightened stakes in the controversy [6] Industry Reactions - The suspension of Kimmel drew backlash from notable figures, including former President Barack Obama and late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers, who emphasized the importance of free speech [11][12] - A protest occurred outside Walt Disney Studios in response to Kimmel's suspension, indicating significant public sentiment against the decision [11]