Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show will continue to be blacked out in dozens of cities nationwide after one of the largest owners of ABC affiliates appeared unconvinced by his teary-eyed monologue from Tuesday.
Nexstar Media Group will continue to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on its ABC stations, extending a blackout that began after the late-night host’s controversial remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing.
“Nexstar is continuing to evaluate the status of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on our ABC-affiliated local television stations, and the show will be preempted while we do so,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We are engaged in productive discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company, with a focus on ensuring the program reflects and respects the diverse interests of the communities we serve.”
The move means Disney’s effort to restore Kimmel to the airwaves remains stymied by its two largest affiliate owners.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, which also owns dozens of ABC affiliates, said Monday it would replace Kimmel with news programming on its ABC outlets.
Here’s the latest on Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension after Charlie Kirk comments
Sinclair last week said that it would allow Kimmel’s show to air in its markets if the host offered up an apology to Erika Kirk and donate money to Kirk’s family as well as to the conservative student action group he co-founded, Turning Point USA.
During his return last night, Kimmel refused to apologize.
Together, Sinclair and Nexstar affiliates represent about one-quarter of ABC’s national household reach — leaving millions of viewers unable to watch Kimmel’s return this week.
Kimmel was suspended last week after linking Kirk’s alleged killer to the “MAGA gang” during a monologue. The false claim triggered condemnation from conservative groups, political leaders and regulators.
Disney’s fight with Nexstar and Sinclair over airing “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” could erupt into court battles, as affiliates risk breaching contracts by keeping the show off the air.
A former DOJ official told The Post that litigation is likely and warned that Nexstar and Sinclair may withhold affiliate fees while leveraging their conservative audiences and pending business before Trump regulators.
Both broadcasters need FCC approval for major deals — Nexstar’s $6 billion Signa purchase and Disney’s bid for the NFL Network — giving FCC Chairman Brendan Carr added influence after blasting Kimmel’s remarks as outside “public interest” rules.
Disney has floated alternative distribution through secondary networks if affiliates refuse to air Kimmel.
ABC could re-route Kimmel through alternate platforms such as Home Shopping Network as opposed to channels that offer its news and entertainment content.
HSN is not owned or operated by ABC, but in certain markets, ABC affiliates may broadcast HSN programming on their alternate digital channels.
Despite plummeting ratings and an estimated $20 million annual loss, insiders told The Post that Disney keeps Kimmel because of the affiliate fees, sponsorships and online revenue he generates.
The Post has sought comment from Sinclair and Disney.
