Overview

• ABC, owned by Disney, confirmed the show is pre-empted indefinitely after Nexstar and Sinclair said they would not air it following FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s public call for “action” and his “easy way or hard way” warning.
• Reports say Kimmel met with Disney executives and attorneys without a deal, and some industry insiders now view his return to the late-night slot as unlikely, though discussions continue.
• A broad backlash gathered pace with protests in Hollywood and at Disney’s Burbank gates, a MoveOn petition, celebrity boycott calls, and creators like Damon Lindelof pledging not to work with Disney unless Kimmel returns.
• Ted Cruz criticized Carr’s intervention as a “Goodfellas”‑style shakedown, the FCC’s lone Democrat said the agency lacks authority to police such speech, and President Trump praised Kimmel’s removal and mused about pulling broadcast licenses.
• AP reporting highlights a web of regulatory and business pressures on Disney and major affiliates — including ongoing federal probes and Nexstar’s pending Tegna deal — while Kimmel’s Millionaire finale remains listed to air and Puck reports no plans to pull it.