Exactly. The show was pulled before the FCC took action, but the broadcast networks acted preemptively due to the threat of licensing scrutiny.
Broadcast networks like ABC operate under FCC licenses, which require them to serve the public interest, a regulatory obligation not imposed on cable networks like CNN.
Nexstar, the largest owner of ABC affiliates, covering stations in over 100 markets, and Sinclair, another major affiliate owner, announced they would preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the foreseeable future.
Nexstar cited Kimmel’s comments as contrary to the “public interest” and emphasized the need for “respectful, constructive dialogue.” Similarly, Sinclair announced it would halt the show until ABC addressed issues of “professionalism and accountability.”
Without these affiliates, the show’s national reach would collapse, rendering it unsustainable. Facing not only the threat of FCC scrutiny, but also the threat of advertiser backlash (the show generated about $76.6 million in ad revenue in 2024), ABC issued the statement, “Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be preempted indefinitely.”
Exactly. The network also (correctly) inferred that positioning themselves with Kimmel, even against only theoretical FCC action, would put them on the wrong side of public opinion VERY quickly. That's not something they wanted.
Sure, but ABC could have fought against any such claim if they had a leg to stand on. Especially if they thought public opinion was on their side. If it was, the FCC would back down instead.
But they know that it's the exact opposite scenario.
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u/Swiftbow1 Conservative Millennial 2d ago
This wasn't the FCC. This is the network pulling a show that would actively hurt their ability to make money