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ABC Pulls 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Indefinitely After Affiliate Preemptions and FCC Chair’s Threat

Legal analysts say the FCC lacks authority to punish viewpoints, intensifying concerns about government pressure on broadcasters.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, the nation’s largest owner of ABC affiliates, said it will not allow Jimmy Kimmel Live! back on its stations unless the late-night host apologizes to Charlie Kirk’s family and makes a “meaningful personal donation” to them
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Overview

  • ABC said the show will be preempted indefinitely after Nexstar and Sinclair announced they would stop airing it following Kimmel’s Sept. 15 monologue about Charlie Kirk’s killing.
  • FCC Chair Brendan Carr condemned the remarks and warned of possible regulatory consequences, statements that civil-liberties groups say exceed the agency’s remit.
  • President Donald Trump praised the decision, while Barack Obama, David Letterman, and major entertainment unions denounced it as coercive and chilling to free speech.
  • Time reported that Rep. Robert Garcia is launching a probe and Democrats introduced the No Political Enemies Act, as FIRE reiterated that the FCC cannot censor broadcast viewpoints.
  • Reporting highlighted corporate sensitivities tied to pending approvals, including Nexstar’s proposed Tegna acquisition requiring FCC sign-off and Disney’s ESPN deal expected to face Justice Department review.