Sinclair and Nexstar Preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Air Local News as ABC Restores Kimmel
Despite ABC restoring Jimmy Kimmel Live! to its national lineup, Nexstar and Sinclair are preempting the late‑night show on dozens of affiliates — replacing it with local news and affecting roughly a quarter of ABC’s affiliate viewers.
Key takeaways
- Nexstar and Sinclair have blocked the ABC feed and are airing expanded local news in Kimmel’s timeslot — a move that impacts millions of viewers (CBS News, USA Today, Axios).
- Reason cited: station groups called Kimmel’s remarks “ill‑timed and insensitive” and are reviewing the situation with ABC (CBS News, USA Today).
- Alternatives exist: viewers in preempted markets can stream Kimmel on platforms like Hulu or view the show’s clips on its YouTube channel the day after broadcast (USA Today).
What happened
Major station groups Nexstar and Sinclair are not carrying the ABC network feed of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in many markets. Instead, affected ABC affiliates are running local programming — primarily expanded late‑night news — in the Kimmel timeslot. The decision touches dozens of stations (Nexstar operates 33 ABC affiliates; Sinclair operates 38), which together cover roughly a quarter of ABC’s local affiliate viewers (CBS News, USA Today, Axios).
Why the stations preempted the show
Station statements say the move follows comments Jimmy Kimmel made about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Nexstar characterized the remarks as “ill‑timed and insensitive” and said it will maintain the preemption until it receives “assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue” (CBS News).
Sinclair said it would air local news in the Kimmel slot “while discussions with ABC are ongoing as [we] evaluate the show’s potential return.” Reporting indicates Sinclair sought an apology and other actions from Kimmel, including a suggested contribution to a conservative group, though the company framed its public message around station standards and viewer concerns (USA Today, Axios).
ABC and Disney’s response
ABC/Disney temporarily suspended Kimmel after the remarks, then restored the show following what the network described as “meaningful discussions” with the comedian. ABC intends to continue airing the program nationally — but network carriage does not prevent local affiliates from opting out and running alternate programming (USA Today).
Availability outside local affiliates
Viewers in blacked‑out markets still have options: stream live or next‑day episodes on services such as Hulu, or watch clips and full episodes on the show’s YouTube channel. That access, however, often requires internet access, paid subscriptions, or delayed viewing (USA Today, YouTube).
Scale and business context
Consolidation matters: Nexstar is pursuing an FCC review for a proposed Tegna acquisition worth about $6.2 billion; Sinclair has grown through acquisitions and has a history of disputes with networks over content. The combined market reach of these groups means programming choices can rapidly affect national reach and advertising plans (CBS News, public video statements).
Political and industry fallout
This episode highlights a growing tension between national networks and local station owners. Some conservative audiences and local leaders have long pushed for greater control over local airwaves; the preemption demonstrates how station groups can use scheduling to respond to perceived community standards. The controversy has also drawn regulatory attention, with the FCC previously signaling concern about content tied to national disputes (USA Today).
Viewer and advertiser implications
Disrupted reach: national advertisers may see reduced coverage in preempting markets; local advertisers could gain access to late‑night inventory as stations expand news or sell time. For viewers without reliable streaming, the preemption removes a live broadcast option, particularly affecting older and rural audiences (CBS News, Axios).
What this means for journalism and local control
At stake is the question: who decides what appears on a local station — the national network or the license‑holding station owner? Station groups argue they must reflect local standards; networks emphasize national brand consistency. The outcome of such clashes affects not only entertainment but news and political content flow across markets (CBS News, Axios).
Implications for Coachella Valley
Economic: local advertisers in the Coachella Valley could see new late‑night inventory if affiliates expand news or sell the Kimmel slot — an opportunity for small businesses but a loss of reach for national advertisers (CBS News, USA Today).
Political: some voters may view the preemption as local broadcasters asserting control over content, potentially shaping trust in stations and influencing conversations ahead of local elections (Axios, CBS News).
Social: residents relying on over‑the‑air broadcasts may find live late‑night network programming unavailable without streaming — a notable access concern for older or low‑income viewers (USA Today).
Practical applications
If you live in the Coachella Valley and watch ABC via antenna or local cable, check your local affiliate schedule to confirm whether Jimmy Kimmel Live! will air. If preempted, watch on streaming services such as Hulu or the show’s YouTube channel the following day. Local businesses interested in late‑night spots should contact station sales teams about new inventory (USA Today).
Reporting note
This article draws on statements from station groups and reporting from CBS News, USA Today and Axios, and public video statements (YouTube).
