Sinclair, Nexstar join to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live across 66 ABC stations, replacing late-night show with local news programming
Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group are preempting “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on 66 ABC affiliates, replacing the late-night show with expanded local news or other programming after controversial comments by the host, affecting millions of viewers.
- What happened: Sinclair and Nexstar are refusing to carry “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on 66 ABC affiliates and are running expanded local news or other programming in the late-night slot (sources: YouTube; Bleeding Cool; That Park Place).
- Why: Both companies cited ABC’s description of Kimmel’s remarks as “ill-timed and insensitive” and said that prompted their preemption decision (sources above).
- Scope: The blackout affects 66 stations and reaches millions of households, including Oklahoma stations KOCO and KTUL (source: The Oklahoman).
- Alternatives: Disney and ABC have reinstated Kimmel on the network feed and streaming platforms, so the show remains available via Disney-owned services.
Background: what led to the preemption
ABC initially pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live from its late-night lineup after host comments sparked public criticism. After a nearly week-long suspension, The Walt Disney Company reinstated Kimmel to the network feed (source: YouTube). Sinclair and Nexstar chose to keep the show off their local airwaves, emphasizing local standards and viewer concerns.
What Sinclair and Nexstar said
Sinclair announced it would preempt the show and indicated it was in ongoing talks with ABC about possible future changes to late-night programming on its stations (source: YouTube).
Nexstar released a formal statement:
“We made a decision last week to preempt ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ comments at a critical time in our national discourse. We stand by that decision, pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”
Both companies said they will expand or air “relevant” local content in the late-night hour normally occupied by Kimmel, though details vary by market (source: Bleeding Cool).
Scope of the blackout and affected markets
Industry trackers and local reports identify 66 stations preempting the show, spanning multiple states and market sizes. The list includes Oklahoma stations KOCO and KTUL, where local outlets reported scheduling changes and viewer impact (source: The Oklahoman).
Combined, Sinclair and Nexstar own or operate hundreds of stations; the 66 affected affiliates represent a substantial portion of ABC’s late-night broadcast reach (sources: That Park Place; YouTube).
How viewers can still watch Kimmel
ABC’s network feed and Disney’s streaming channels continue to carry Jimmy Kimmel Live, so viewers who use streaming platforms or out-of-market feeds can still access the show. Stations acknowledge streaming as an alternative but will not air Kimmel on local broadcast channels while concerns remain (sources: Bleeding Cool; That Park Place).
For many, especially older households and those without paid streaming services, the preemption may mean losing easy local access to the late-night show. Stations plan to fill the hour with local news or related programming that they argue better serves viewers’ needs.
Industry dynamics: affiliate power and consolidation
The dispute highlights the balance of power between national networks and local station owners. Networks supply content and national advertising, but local owners control what airs in their markets. When groups like Sinclair and Nexstar push back, they can change what millions of viewers see.
Nexstar’s pending roughly $6 billion acquisition of Tegna would expand its footprint and increase its leverage in affiliate relations, raising the stakes for network-affiliate negotiations (source: YouTube).
Reactions and public response
Community responses have been mixed: some praise stations for prioritizing local standards and news; others criticize the preemptions as censorship or a reduction in access to national entertainment on free broadcast TV. Local coverage in affected markets — notably Oklahoma — details viewer confusion and local fallout (source: The Oklahoman).
Implications for San Diego, California
Local news programming: San Diego viewers who rely on over-the-air ABC affiliates could see expanded late-night local news or alternative programming if Sinclair- or Nexstar-owned stations in the market join the blackout. That would require local newsrooms to produce or rebroadcast content in the late-night hour.
Viewer access and habits: Households without streaming services may lose easy broadcast access to Jimmy Kimmel Live, potentially prompting subscriptions to Disney streaming platforms or online viewing. Stations say they will provide scheduling notices on their websites and social feeds.
Business and ad markets: Local stations could see late-night ad revenue shift: expanded local news may create new opportunities for regional advertisers, while some national late-night buys might move elsewhere.
How local viewers can stay informed
San Diegans should check their ABC affiliate’s website or the station’s social media feeds for local scheduling updates. Viewers seeking the show can use Disney’s streaming services or network apps. For station statements and further details, consult the cited local and industry reports.
Reporting note and sources
This article draws on statements and local reporting about the preemption and on industry coverage of the dispute and its implications. Primary sources include: YouTube; Bleeding Cool; That Park Place; and The Oklahoman.
For local updates, viewers in San Diego should consult their ABC affiliate’s website or official station-group statements to confirm whether their market is among the affected 66 stations.
