Sinclair, Nexstar Preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Replacing Late-Night Talker with Local News in Show of Station Independence
Sinclair and Nexstar preempted Jimmy Kimmel Live! on roughly 66 ABC affiliates, replacing the late-night talker with local news and alternate programming — a move that underscores station autonomy and tensions with national networks, including Disney/ABC.
Key takeaways
- Scope: About 66 ABC affiliates owned by Sinclair and Nexstar — roughly one-quarter of ABC’s local reach — preempted Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
- Replacement programming: Stations are airing expanded local news or locally produced content and will evaluate the show’s return.
- Trigger: The preemptions follow controversial comments by Jimmy Kimmel regarding the shooting death of Charlie Kirk; ABC briefly suspended Kimmel then returned him to air.
- Where to watch: Disney/ABC points viewers to the network’s streaming platforms if a local affiliate preempts the program.
What happened, in plain terms
Local TV groups have long had discretion to alter network schedules in their markets. In recent days, Nexstar and Sinclair used that right to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the late-night slot on many ABC-affiliated stations. Viewers in affected markets saw expanded local news, special reports, or alternative locally supplied programming instead.
Why station groups say they acted
Nexstar called Kimmel’s remarks “ill-timed and insensitive” and said it preempted the show “pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.” Sinclair similarly announced it would replace the program across its ABC affiliates with news programming while talks with ABC continue as it evaluates a potential return.
“We will replace Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliates with local news programming and evaluate the show’s potential return.” — Company statements from Nexstar and Sinclair
Disney/ABC’s response and limits on its control
Disney-owned ABC temporarily suspended Kimmel and later returned him to the air, and it has pointed viewers to streaming availability. However, network executives cannot force an affiliate to carry a particular late-night program; local affiliates retain programming choice in many slots, especially late-night, and can opt out when they deem content problematic.
Scope and scale: how many viewers are affected
Combined, Sinclair and Nexstar control about a quarter of ABC affiliates nationwide. Estimates put the number of stations that preempted the show at roughly 66, including notable stations in markets such as Nashville and Seattle — a sizable footprint that reduces the program’s national reach when two groups act in tandem.
Business and regulatory backdrop
Nexstar is pursuing a proposed, more than $6 billion acquisition of Tegna, which would significantly increase its market share if regulators approve the deal. Sinclair has also pursued growth and acquisitions. Those moves make programming decisions by these groups more consequential for national discourse and local markets.
Why this matters: local standards and national shows
The dispute spotlights an embedded tension in American broadcasting: national networks produce content for broad audiences, while local stations assert the right to reflect community standards. When large station groups preempt a network show, they are effectively shaping what millions of local viewers see — raising questions about editorial standards, accountability and the cultural influence of concentrated local ownership.
Implications for Hesperia, California
Economic impact: Local advertisers and small businesses in Hesperia that buy late-night spots on nearby ABC affiliates may see audience shifts, which can change ad value.
Political consequences: Conservative viewers may view Sinclair and Nexstar’s action as a defense of community standards; local officials and candidates could see changes in which messages reach households.
Social and cultural effects: Expanded local news can increase coverage of High Desert issues — crime, school boards, road closures — boosting civic engagement but reducing nationally oriented entertainment segments that often draw younger viewers.
Practical advice: Hesperia viewers should check their local ABC affiliate schedules and consider ABC’s streaming platforms if they want to continue watching Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
What to watch next
The program’s status in affected markets will depend on further talks between station groups and ABC and any new assurances about content and standards. For viewers and advertisers, the immediate step is to follow local station notices and consider streaming alternatives if the late-night show remains preempted.
