Nexstar Joins Sinclair Against Disney: Jimmy Kimmel Live! Blacked Out Across Huge Swath of ABC Stations

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Disney is hoping to put the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel behind them, but two major groups that carry ABC are still refusing to air his show. Nexstar Media Group announced it will follow Sinclair Broadcasting in continuing to skip airing *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* on its local ABC stations, even though the network officially said the show would be back on Tuesday night.

For many viewers, Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late night won’t be seen on TV. Instead, local news or other shows will air in its place in numerous cities across the country.

Nexstar’s Full Statement

Nexstar reaffirmed its choice to not broadcast Jimmy Kimmel’s show in a statement released on September 23rd.

Breaking news: Following similar action by Sinclair, Nexstar is also cancelling tonight’s airing of Jimmy Kimmel’s show. This decision comes after Kimmel made claims about an alleged assassination attempt on Charlie Kirk.

Last week, we decided to air our show before “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after ABC described comments made by Mr. Kimmel as poorly timed and insensitive.

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 23, 2025

Last week, we decided to stop airing *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* after ABC described comments made by Mr. Kimmel as inappropriate and poorly timed, especially given the current national conversation. We still support this decision and want to be sure everyone involved is dedicated to creating a respectful and productive discussion. *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* will still be available on Disney’s streaming services, and our local stations will continue to focus on providing relevant local news and programming.

The Battle That Sparked the Boycott

Jimmy Kimmel was temporarily removed from his position earlier this month after sharing false information following the tragic death of Charlie Kirk.

Affiliates quickly distanced themselves, citing concerns about both taste and regulatory scrutiny.

  • Sinclair said it would not bring the show back until Kimmel issued a direct apology to Kirk’s family and ABC committed to stricter standards of accountability.
  • Nexstar initially joined the blackout on September 17th, calling Kimmel’s remarks “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.” With Disney now restoring the show, Nexstar doubled down, confirming its affiliates will keep Kimmel off the air “pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue.”

A Clash of Power

Even though Disney owns ABC, local stations actually hold the licenses to broadcast its shows. This gives companies like Sinclair and Nexstar the power to decide whether or not a program airs in their area. Because these two companies reach about a quarter of all ABC viewers, Jimmy Kimmel’s potential absence isn’t a small issue-it’s a significant problem for Disney nationwide.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is increasing pressure on broadcasters. Commissioner Brendan Carr has suggested that inappropriate or false statements could lead to the revocation of their broadcast licenses. Because of this risk, many stations are hesitant to continue airing a program with declining viewership and an aging format, especially given the potential consequences.

Why It Matters

This situation isn’t simply focused on Jimmy Kimmel; it highlights the struggles of late-night TV as a whole and the continuing influence of local TV stations in 2025.

TV networks can make plans, but local stations have the final say on what viewers see. Disney can suggest programming, but companies like Sinclair and Nexstar can still block it from airing.

Late-night talk shows are facing a significant drop in viewership. Shows like Jimmy Kimmel’s have seen ratings plummet, as younger viewers prefer streaming and older audiences are losing interest in politically charged comedy. Because of this, TV stations are increasingly choosing to replace these shows with news programming. Kimmel’s show, for example, has lost almost half of its audience since January 2025.

As a movie fan, I’m hearing a lot of talk about how these comedies just aren’t landing with audiences outside of places like LA and New York. It seems like what Hollywood thinks is funny isn’t resonating with the rest of the country, and people are starting to notice that the jokes feel out of touch.

The Bigger Picture

ABC has long considered *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* a key program for its success. However, if two major groups of local stations refuse to broadcast the show, it could become a liability for the network. Disney now faces a choice: make compromises to keep its affiliate stations happy, or risk the show being unavailable to viewers in many areas.

What initially seemed like a successful comeback is now appearing messy and problematic. Rather than resolving the recent issues, Disney is facing a continuing conflict that highlights how fragile late-night talk shows and their hosts currently are.

Bottom Line

Disney announced Jimmy Kimmel’s return to television, but major broadcasters Sinclair and Nexstar disagree. Because of this conflict, many Americans will miss seeing the late-night host back on the air.

Ultimately, this conflict isn’t really about the comedian involved, but about how the media is changing. TV stations are becoming more assertive, late-night talk shows are struggling, and Disney’s support of Kimmel could end up being a bad business decision.

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2025-09-23 20:31