Nexstar Will Not Air Kimmel’s Return

Nexstar Media Group said Tuesday it will continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC affiliates, even as the late-night show returns to air nationwide.

“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,” the company said in a statement. “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.”

The announcement comes as Kimmel resumes production on ABC, following a suspension tied to remarks in his September 17 monologue that drew criticism from conservative groups. While Disney will make the program available on its streaming platforms, Nexstar said its affiliates will instead produce local news and other programming “relevant to their respective markets.”

Nexstar’s announcement, coming on the heels of a similar move by Sinclair yesterday, sets up a new battlefront in the Kimmel saga, with two of the nation’s largest station groups refusing to air ABC’s late-night flagship.

Affiliate carriage agreements typically require stations to carry network programming during designated slots, but affiliates retain preemption rights for breaking news and live sports. Whether preemptions based on content disputes could invite contractual challenges remains unclear.

What Kimmel might say upon his return was reportedy a sticking point in his negotiations with Disney. Neither ABC nor Kimmel have indicated what he intends to say, but his comments will no doubt be closely watched by the station groups tonight.

Nexstar is in the middle of a $6.2 billion merger with media company Tegna. Nexstar, which owns or partners with more than 200 television stations, would acquire about 65 more under the deal. The two companies entered into a definitive agreement for the merger last month, but it remains subject to regulatory approval from the FCC, currently chaired by Brendan Carr.