Disney Tells FCC Affiliate Pressure Drove Brief Jimmy Kimmel Suspension
The disclosure comes during an FCC review of network–affiliate power that could reshape how national shows reach local airwaves.
Overview
- Disney’s latest FCC filing says threats from major station groups, notably Nexstar and Sinclair, to preempt Jimmy Kimmel’s show prompted his temporary suspension.
- The company acknowledges internal executives largely opposed suspending Kimmel but acted to placate affiliates concerned over his remarks about Charlie Kirk.
- Kimmel was off the air for less than a week and was later restored on Nexstar and Sinclair stations, with reporting indicating no concessions were made for his return.
- The FCC is examining network–affiliate relationships, and Disney’s December 10 filing argued decades of preemptions show the current system complies with rules without requiring new intervention.
- The filings recount how FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly urged broadcasters to drop Kimmel, escalating pressures that preceded affiliate moves to pull the show.