If Kimmel thinks he won, he might need to think again.
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel may have convinced Disney to put his show back on the air, but two of America’s biggest broadcasters just delivered him a crushing and very public defeat.
On Tuesday, Nexstar Media Group, the largest local television operator in the nation, said they will keep blocking “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from airing on its 32 ABC affiliate stations. The bold move comes after Kimmel made inflammatory, politically charged remarks about the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk, comments that sparked outrage among viewers, advertisers, and federal regulators.
Nexstar Stands Firm: “No Respectful Dialogue, No Show”
In a strong statement, Nexstar made it clear that Kimmel’s words crossed a line.
“We decided last week to pull ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ from our lineup after ABC labeled Mr. Kimmel’s remarks as ‘poorly timed and inappropriate,’” the company stated. “We will continue to stand by that choice until we are confident that everyone involved is committed to fostering respectful and productive conversations in the communities we serve.”
Instead of airing Kimmel’s program, Nexstar stations will focus on local news and family-friendly content — programming advertisers in conservative-leaning markets prefer.
Sinclair Joins the Boycott
It’s not just Nexstar standing up to Disney and Kimmel. Sinclair Broadcast Group, which operates 30 ABC affiliates, announced Monday that it will also block Kimmel’s show, replacing it with news programming.
“Starting Tuesday night, Sinclair will replace ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on all of our ABC stations as we continue talks with ABC,” the company announced.
With two of the largest broadcast groups united, Kimmel’s audience is about to shrink dramatically, dealing a devastating blow to his ratings and potentially cutting into Disney’s advertising revenue.
What Sparked the Outrage
The controversy began when Kimmel accused conservatives of “desperately trying to spin” the narrative around Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect charged with assassinating Charlie Kirk.
On Sept. 10, during a campus event at Utah Valley University, 31-year-old father of two Charlie Kirk was responding to a question about transgender mass shooters when Robinson allegedly opened fire, striking him in the neck and killing him on the spot.
The suspect has been romantically linked to a transgender partner, and FBI-released text messages reportedly show him confessing to the murder.
Despite this evidence, Kimmel went on air last Monday and blamed conservatives, calling them “MAGA extremists” in an attack that enraged viewers.
“We hit some new lows with the MAGA gang desperately trying to make this kid into something he’s not,” Kimmel said.
The backlash was swift. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr condemned Kimmel’s comments as “some of the most disturbing behavior” he’d ever witnessed and suggested that federal action might be considered.
Disney Tries to Save Kimmel
After the initial outrage, Disney suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last week in response to Nexstar and Sinclair refusing to air it. But on Monday, Disney reversed course and announced the show’s return — a move widely seen as caving to liberal Hollywood pressure.
Kimmel is now expected to address the controversy on Tuesday night’s broadcast.
However, millions of viewers still won’t see it, thanks to Nexstar and Sinclair’s decision to stand their ground.
This creates a unique situation: while Disney backs Kimmel, his actual reach to middle America is collapsing.
Culture War Flashpoint
The fight over Kimmel’s comments has turned into a culture war battleground:
- Liberals are defending Kimmel, calling this a free speech issue.
- Conservatives say Kimmel crossed the line by spreading dangerous lies and politicizing a tragedy.
The timing is crucial. With the 2024 election season heating up, control over local television markets has never been more important. Local TV remains a key driver of political advertising, especially in battleground states.
Why Nexstar’s Power Matters
Nexstar’s influence is about to grow even larger. Last month, the company announced a $6.2 billion deal to acquire Tegna, another major broadcaster.
This acquisition — pending FCC approval — will give Nexstar a dominant presence in swing states like Arizona, Georgia, Ohio, and Maine, shaping the way millions of voters receive information ahead of the election.
With 200+ stations serving 220 million people, Nexstar’s decision to block Kimmel sends a clear message to both Hollywood and Washington: middle America won’t tolerate radical, divisive content.
The Bottom Line
Jimmy Kimmel might have won his battle with Disney executives, but he’s losing the war.
Millions of Americans will never see his show again thanks to local broadcasters who refuse to promote his agenda.
This is more than a television dispute — it’s a national showdown between coastal elites and everyday Americans.
President Trump and his supporters have long warned about the disconnect between Hollywood and the heartland, and this fight proves just how deep that divide has become.
