The vast majority of Costa Rica's radio and television stations are at risk of having to stop broadcasting, after failing to meet the requirements of a spectrum auction ordered by the government of Rodrigo Chaves. The auction was supposedly aimed at democratizing the use of state resources and ensuring that companies pay a fair price for their operations. But dozens of stations announced that they were unable to submit a bid before the Friday midnight deadline set by the authorities for the process.
Some viewers accused Kimmel of erroneously suggesting that Kirk's alleged shooter was MAGA, which Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, called "some of the sickest conduct possible." Hours before the suspension was announced, Carr raised the idea of punishing local television stations that continued to air Kimmel's show. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way," he said.
They have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest. Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or, you know, there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead, he added.