Core Viewpoint - Nexstar Media Group, Inc. has announced the return of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to its owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network, indicating a positive resolution to discussions with The Walt Disney Company [1] Group 1 - The return of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will begin tonight, showcasing Nexstar's commitment to local broadcasting [1] - Nexstar has engaged in constructive discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company to address concerns [1] - The company emphasizes its dedication to protecting the First Amendment while producing and airing local content [1]

Core Viewpoint - Nexstar Media Group will restore "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to its 24 ABC affiliates, ending a preemption that lasted five days due to a controversial comment made by Kimmel regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk [1][2]. Group 1: Decision and Impact - The decision to restore the show followed a similar action by Sinclair, affecting about one-quarter of ABC's total footprint [2]. - Major markets that have regained access to Kimmel include Washington, D.C., Seattle, St. Louis, Nashville, and Portland, OR [4]. - Kimmel's return drew over 6 million viewers on its first night back, nearly four times its average audience, despite the absence of Sinclair and Nexstar affiliates [6][9]. Group 2: Financial Considerations - "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" generated approximately $70 million in ad revenue in 2025 prior to the suspension, highlighting its significance for local TV stations [8]. - The ad inventory from the show is considered valuable for small and medium-sized businesses, which are crucial for local television [8]. Group 3: Regulatory and Political Context - The preemption of Kimmel's show was influenced by external pressures, including threats from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and political attacks from former President Trump [5]. - Both Nexstar and Sinclair emphasized that their decisions were independent of government influence, as they seek to maintain favorable relations with the Trump administration and the FCC [8].

Group 1 - Sinclair Broadcast Group will resume airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC-affiliate stations, ending the preemption that affected about 25% of TV viewers in the US [1][3] - Sinclair and Nexstar Media Group are the largest owners of local TV stations in the US, with Sinclair owning over 185 stations and Nexstar owning 200 stations [2] - Sinclair has proposed measures to strengthen accountability and viewer feedback to ABC, including an independent ombudsman, but ABC and Disney have not agreed to these measures [3][7] Group 2 - The controversy surrounding Kimmel began when FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened regulatory action against broadcasters regarding Kimmel's comments [4] - Nexstar was the first to announce the preemption of Kimmel's show, which led to ABC pausing production for almost a week [5] - Sinclair emphasized that its decision to preempt Kimmel was independent of government influence, asserting the right to exercise judgment over local content [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - Sinclair Inc. has decided to end its boycott of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night program on its ABC affiliates, leaving Nexstar Media Group Inc. as the only major broadcaster still boycotting the show [1] Group 1 - Sinclair Inc. is a local-television giant that operates numerous ABC affiliates [1] - The decision to end the boycott indicates a shift in Sinclair's strategy regarding late-night programming [1] - Nexstar Media Group Inc. remains the last major broadcaster continuing the boycott against Kimmel's program [1]

Group 1: ABC and Nexstar Media Group's Position - ABC has announced that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will return after a brief suspension, but Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group will continue to preempt the program [2] - The suspension was originally due to Kimmel's remarks about Charlie Kirk's death and the Trump administration's response [4] - Alan Jackson, a defense attorney, stated that ABC and Nexstar are within their rights to make employment decisions regarding Kimmel [5][4] Group 2: Free Speech and Legal Perspectives - Jackson emphasized that Kimmel has the right to express his opinions, but must also face the consequences of his statements [7] - He argued that the situation is not an infringement on free speech, as Kimmel is not being jailed for his comments [7] - The American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, and Reporters Without Borders have requested documents from Disney regarding Kimmel's suspension [8] Group 3: Financial Implications - ABC is preparing for a financial impact due to the suspension of Kimmel's show, which has led to concerns from investors about the decision [7]

Core Viewpoint - Nexstar Media's suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" poses challenges for Disney CEO Bob Iger and may not be sufficient to secure regulatory approval for Nexstar's $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Challenges - Nexstar faces significant hurdles in obtaining White House approval for its $6.2 billion deal to acquire Tegna, with strong opposition from Republicans and right-leaning news networks [2][3]. - The opposition is particularly pronounced from Newsmax, whose CEO has close ties to GOP lawmakers and the Trump administration, raising concerns about the merger's implications [3][10]. - Critics argue that Nexstar's suspension of Kimmel is a strategic move to demonstrate a commitment to balanced programming, which may not be enough to satisfy regulators [5][6][13]. Group 2: Market Position and Strategy - Nexstar is already a major player in the local TV market, owning approximately three dozen ABC affiliates, and is evaluating the status of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its stations [7]. - The company claims that its discussions with Disney focus on ensuring programming reflects the diverse interests of the communities it serves [8]. - The merger would potentially allow Nexstar to reach nearly 80% of U.S. households, significantly exceeding the current 39% cap, raising concerns about monopolistic control over local broadcasting [17]. Group 3: Political and Regulatory Landscape - FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has indicated that he will withhold approval for local broadcast licenses and mergers if networks do not provide more balanced programming [12][18]. - There is skepticism among media insiders regarding Nexstar's claims that the suspension of Kimmel is unrelated to the Tegna deal approval process [13]. - The political landscape is further complicated by the fact that both Nexstar and Sinclair, another local TV giant, have suspended Kimmel amid the controversy, indicating a broader industry response to regulatory pressures [9][12].

Core Insights - Jimmy Kimmel's return to host "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" achieved record viewership, with 6.26 million viewers, significantly higher than the usual 1.55 million this year [1][2] - The show was suspended on September 17 due to Kimmel's comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, leading to a surge in online views for his opening monologue, which garnered over 26 million views on YouTube and social media [2][3] - Kimmel expressed support for Disney but criticized the suspension decision made by CEO Bob Iger and Dana Walden, labeling government threats to comedians as anti-American [3][4] Industry Context - The late-night talk show segment has seen a decline in viewership overall, with Kimmel's ratings down approximately 37% from a decade ago, reflecting a broader trend of audiences shifting to streaming services and social media [5] - Despite the high viewership for Kimmel's return, the total does not account for viewers on streaming platforms, and the absence of major ABC affiliates like Nexstar Media Group Inc and Sinclair Inc, which reach about 23% of US households, may have impacted overall ratings [4]

Core Viewpoint - Jimmy Kimmel's late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" continues to be blacked out in numerous cities due to the actions of major ABC affiliate owners Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, following Kimmel's controversial comments regarding conservative activist Charlie Kirk's killing [1][6][9]. Group 1: Blackout Status - Nexstar Media Group has decided to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its ABC-affiliated local television stations while evaluating the show's status [2][4]. - Sinclair Broadcast Group has also opted to replace Kimmel's show with news programming on its ABC outlets, further contributing to the blackout [6][8]. Group 2: Corporate Dynamics - The ongoing situation indicates a struggle between Disney, which owns ABC, and its two largest affiliate owners, Nexstar and Sinclair, over the airing of Kimmel's show [6][9]. - Disney is reportedly in discussions with Nexstar to ensure the program aligns with the diverse interests of the communities served [4]. Group 3: Potential Legal Implications - The conflict between Disney and the affiliate owners may escalate into legal battles, as affiliates risk breaching contracts by not airing the show [9][10]. - Both Nexstar and Sinclair require FCC approval for significant deals, which adds a layer of complexity to the situation, especially given the political context surrounding Kimmel's remarks [10]. Group 4: Alternative Distribution Strategies - Disney is considering alternative distribution methods for Kimmel's show through secondary networks if affiliates continue to refuse to air it [13]. - There is a possibility that Kimmel could be rerouted through platforms like Home Shopping Network, which are not directly owned by ABC [14]. Group 5: Financial Considerations - Despite facing declining ratings and an estimated annual loss of $20 million, Disney maintains Kimmel's show due to the revenue generated from affiliate fees, sponsorships, and online content [14].

Core Points - Nexstar Media Group is evaluating the status of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its ABC-affiliated stations after the show returned to Disney-owned ABC [2][4] - Nexstar and Sinclair, two major broadcast station owners, own approximately 70 ABC affiliate stations in the U.S. [3] - The show was preempted in many markets, affecting 20% of the country, particularly in Washington, D.C. [4][5] Group 1 - Nexstar stated it is engaged in discussions with Disney to ensure the program meets the diverse interests of the communities served [2] - Kimmel's comments linking a murder to political movements led to the suspension of the show’s production by Disney [4][5] - Kimmel expressed concern over the preemption, highlighting the irony of not being broadcast in significant areas after 23 years on air [4] Group 2 - The FCC Chair suggested that ABC affiliate stations could risk losing broadcast licenses due to Kimmel's comments [5] - Nexstar's decision to preempt the show coincided with Kimmel's controversial remarks, indicating a potential conflict between content and community standards [5] - The situation reflects ongoing tensions between broadcast networks and local affiliates regarding content management and community representation [2][3]

Core Viewpoint - Nexstar Media Group will continue to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" despite ongoing discussions with Disney, focusing on community interests and reflecting diverse perspectives [1][2]. Group 1: Company Actions - Nexstar Media Group, a major owner of local TV stations, has decided not to air Kimmel's show, marking it as the first major station group to take this action [2]. - Sinclair Broadcasting Group, the largest owner of ABC stations, also declined to air Kimmel's return, with uncertain plans for future broadcasts [4]. - If Sinclair continues to refuse airing Kimmel, approximately 25% of ABC stations will not broadcast the show, leading viewers to rely on Disney's streaming services for access [8]. Group 2: Industry Context - Nexstar's decision is under scrutiny due to its pending $6.2 billion merger with Tegna, which requires FCC approval [2]. - Kimmel's return was influenced by significant pressure, including calls to cancel Disney+ subscriptions and public support from Hollywood actors and congressional Democrats [9].