Another Broadcasting Company Refuses To Air Kimmel’s Show

Nexstar Media Group confirmed on Tuesday that it will not air “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on its ABC affiliates despite the show’s suspension being lifted.

The entertainment industry has been in an uproar since Kimmel’s show was taken off the air last week over statements he made about the man who assassinated Charlie Kirk. Now the show is coming back, but it won’t air on ABC affiliates owned by Nexstar. 

This announcement comes just one day after Sinclair Broadcast Group, another major ABC station owner, took the same stance.

“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, per The New York Post. 

“We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”

Network contracts with TV station groups typically include a “right to reject” clause, granting local affiliates the authority to preempt programs that they deem harmful to public interest or their audiences. But this clause is rarely used, The New York Times reported.

Kimmel was taken off the air following backlash to comments he made about the accused assassin of Kirk. 

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said at the time.

Shortly after his comments went viral, both Nexstar and Sinclair announced plans to preempt the late-night show. The two broadcast companies own or control nearly 80 ABC affiliates between them.

Last Wednesday, FCC chair Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel’s comments, leading many to speculate that Kimmel’s show was pulled due to government pressure.

Multiple petitions and protests were ongoing. Kimmel made no public statements, but was reportedly seen visiting his attorney, according to multiple reports.