How Nexstar's Proposed TV Merger Is Tied to Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension

"The suspension was the latest demonstration of how members of the Trump administration have been able to influence the operations of media companies without imposing new policies. In this case, a broadcaster that is pursuing a $6 billion merger, which must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission, put pressure on ABC before the network's parent company, Disney, announced its decision to suspend Mr. Kimmel's show."

"Hours before ABC made the announcement, the F.C.C. chairman, Brendan Carr, said on a right-wing podcast that local ABC stations should push back and pre-empt coverage that does not serve their local communities. (Pre-empting, in broadcast terms, refers to replacing programming with another show in advance of its airing.) Mr. Carr also told the podcast's host, Benny Johnson, that the F.C.C. might take action against ABC."

"After the podcast interview, Nexstar, which owns 32 ABC affiliate stations, announced that it would pre-empt Jimmy Kimmel Live!' for the foreseeable future, and added: Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk. Nexstar has good reason to try to appease the F.C.C. at the moment: In August, the company announced that it intended to buy one of its competitors, Tegna, which owns 13 ABC affiliate stations."

ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show after conservatives expressed outrage over a monologue. The suspension followed pressure on ABC before its parent company, Disney, announced the decision. Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr told a right-wing podcast that local ABC stations should pre-empt coverage that does not serve their local communities and suggested the F.C.C. might take action against ABC. Nexstar, which owns 32 ABC affiliates, announced it would pre-empt Jimmy Kimmel Live! and said it strongly objects to Kimmel's comments concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk. Nexstar is pursuing a merger with Tegna and requires F.C.C. approval, potentially including a nationwide ownership cap change.

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