Jimmy Kimmel still isn’t coming back to many ABC stations in the US

Disney is bringing back Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night speech show, but a notable chunk of ABC affiliates won’t aerial the caller episodes. Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcasting — which power astir 1 4th of section ABC stations, according to Deadline — announced that they volition proceed to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! and aerial antithetic programming successful that timeslot instead.

Last week, FCC Chair Brendan Carr said broadcasters volition request to “find ways to alteration behaviour to instrumentality enactment connected Kimmel” oregon other look FCC engagement pursuing Kimmel’s comments astir politicians’ reactions to the shooting of Charlie Kirk, earlier Disney temporarily suspended the show.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that Sinclair owns oregon controls 38 ABC affiliates, portion Nexstar operates 28 stations. The blackout means the amusement won’t aerial successful respective large markets crossed the US, including Portland, Oregon; New Orleans, Louisiana; Nashville, Tennessee; Salt Lake City, Utah; Richmond, Virginia; Seattle, Washington, and others, accounting for astir 25 percent of the US TV audience. Nexstar says Jimmy Kimmel Live! volition inactive beryllium disposable “nationwide connected aggregate Disney-owned streaming products.” 

During the Concordia Annual Summit connected Monday, Carr denied that the FCC influenced decisions astir the show, claiming, “Jimmy Kimmel is successful the concern that he’s successful due to the fact that of his ratings, not due to the fact that of thing that’s happened astatine the national authorities level,” as reported by Variety.

Nexstar issued a connection connected Tuesday saying the broadcaster stands by Disney’s archetypal determination to suspend the amusement “pending assurance that each parties are committed to fostering an situation of respectful, constructive dialogue.” Sinclair likewise said that its affiliates volition regenerate Jimmy Kimmel Live! with quality programming portion it evaluates the “potential return” of the show.