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ABC

YouTube TV and Disney Reach Deal Ending Two-Week Blackout of ESPN, ABC

by jummy84 November 15, 2025

written by jummy84

ESPN, ABC and other Disney TV networks are coming back to YouTube TV.

Google and Disney finally ended their standoff, announcing a multiyear agreement Friday on pricing and terms for a renewed carriage deal for YouTube TV. Disney’s nets went dark on the internet TV service just before midnight ET on Thursday, Oct. 30, after the two sides remained far apart on a deal before the expiration of the previous contract.

Under the new agreement, ESPN’s full lineup of sports — including content from ESPN Unlimited — will be made available on YouTube TV to base-plan subscribers at no additional cost by the end of 2026. In addition, access to a selection of live and on-demand programming from ESPN Unlimited will be available inside YouTube TV.

The deal also lets YouTube include the Disney+ and Hulu bundle as part of “select YouTube offerings.” According to Disney, “select networks” will be included in various genre-specific packages that YouTube TV expects to launch in the future.

“This new agreement reflects our continued commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment and evolving with how audiences choose to watch,’’ Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a joint statement. “It recognizes the tremendous value of Disney’s programming and provides YouTube TV subscribers with more flexibility and choice. We are pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football.”

In a statement, a YouTube spokesperson said Friday, “We’re happy to share that we’ve reached an agreement with Disney that preserves the value of our service for our subscribers and future flexibility in our offers. Subscribers should see channels including ABC, ESPN and FX returning to their service over the course of the day, as well as any recordings that were previously in their Library. We apologize for the disruption and appreciate our subscribers’ patience as we negotiated on their behalf. ”

The deal supersedes their prior distribution agreement, inked in December 2021 after a two-day blackout.

On Sunday (Nov. 9) YouTube began issuing one-time $20 credits to YouTube TV customers for the loss of Disney’s programming, in the hopes it would help stave off user cancelations.

Many YouTube TV subscribers dropped the service in frustration. According to a survey fielded last week, 24% of YouTube TV users said they had canceled or intended to cancel their accounts over the Disney blackout. A YouTube rep said that “while subscriber churn is always regrettable, it’s been manageable and does not align with the findings of this survey.” Disney took a hit, too, losing more than $4 million per day during the blackout, according to an estimate by Morgan Stanley analysts.

Google had said Disney was asking for an unprecedented fee increase for the full suite of ESPN channels, ABC local stations, FX, Disney Channel, Freeform, Nat Geo and more — while Disney claimed the tech giant was “refusing to pay fair rates for our channels.” According to Google, Disney was trying to “reset” the market pricing for its programming (so it could charge similarly higher rates in upcoming renewals with other pay-TV distributors) and that Disney was insisting YouTube TV take the Mouse House’s full lineup of networks. The negotiating teams were led by Disney Platform Distribution EVP Sean Breen and YouTube chief business officer Mary Ellen Coe.

The removal of Disney’s networks from YouTube TV came a day before a busy Nov. 1 Saturday slate for college football as major marquee teams face pivotal contests, many of them aired on ESPN and ABC. In light of the blackout, ESPN made its “College GameDay” football pregame show available free to watch via a livestream on X. YouTube TV customers also missed two airings of “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN. (YouTube pointed out to users they could catch all of ESPN’s programming on the ESPN Unlimited subscription service.)

Along with Disney’s live channels, YouTube TV customers’ DVR recordings of the media conglomerate’s programming were removed, as is standard in such disputes. With the deal renewal, YouTube TV subscribers will regain access to recordings that were previously in their library, according to YouTube.

On Thursday, Disney CEO Bob Iger told analysts that the company had been “working tirelessly to close this deal” but said, “It’s also imperative that we make sure that we agree to a deal that reflects the value that we deliver, which both YouTube, by the way, and Alphabet, have told us, is greater than the value of any other provider.”

Disney Entertainment’s Walden and Bergman and ESPN’s Pitaro had previously addressed the impasse in several memos to staffers. “YouTube TV and its owner, Google, are not interested in achieving a fair deal with us,” the execs wrote in an Oct. 31 email. “Instead, they want to use their power and extraordinary resources to eliminate competition and devalue the very content that helped them build their service.”

Meanwhile, ahead of this year’s Election Night (Nov. 4), Disney asked Google to restore ABC on YouTube TV for one day to serve the “public interest.” Google declined — and instead suggested that Disney allow YouTube TV to make ABC and ESPN available while the two sides continued talks because those are “the channels that people want.” Disney didn’t go for the idea.

The Disney-Google clash became public Oct. 23, when Disney began alerting viewers that its networks could be removed from YouTube TV.

Disney has faced other tough negotiations with distributors amid the transition to ESPN Unlimited — the standalone streaming service launched in August that includes everything on the sports programmer’s lineup — and its continued investment in Disney+ and Hulu.

In 2023, Disney’s networks had a 10-day blackout on Charter Communications cable systems in a similar fight over price. To settle the Charter deal, Disney allowed Charter’s high-tier TV subscribers to access Disney+ and the ESPN+ streaming app. In 2024, ESPN and other Disney nets went dark on DirecTV for nearly two weeks before they reached a new deal. In October, Disney and Comcast quietly reached a carriage renewal deal.

Google has encountered no small amount of friction in deal-renewal talks this year for YouTube TV. Other programmers that have fought with the internet company include Paramount Global (now Paramount Skydance), Fox Corp. and NBCUniversal — each of which reached a new deal without a blackout. At the end of September, YouTube TV dropped Univision, with Google alleging the price increases sought by parent company TelevisaUnivision were drastically out of line with viewership on the platform.

YouTube TV is the biggest internet-TV service in the U.S., estimated to have more than 10 million subscribers. Next is Disney, which last week closed a deal to merge its Hulu + Live TV business with Fubo; together, those have almost 6 million subs in North America. Google had asserted Disney’s hardball tactics over a YouTube TV deal was “benefiting their own live TV products, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.”

November 15, 2025 0 comments

TV & Streaming

Sinclair CEO Rips Disney Over ABC Blackout for YouTube TV Users

by jummy84 November 6, 2025

written by jummy84

Chris Ripley, the CEO of Sinclair Broadcast Group, is tired of blackouts — specifically, the one currently keeping ABC programming from about 10 million YouTube TV subscribers. It is such a problem for him that, on a Wednesday conference call tied to his company’s summer 2025 earnings quarter, Ripley didn’t even talk about the Jimmy Kimmel Live! suspension he helped shepherd in September.

“We, as local broadcasters, have no say in whether our content and the content we pay to air will be distributed to local viewers,” Ripley said. “This was clearly not the intent of the Communications Act, and seems to be, from our perspective, an antitrust issue as well.”

Considering the Communications Act was written in 1934 to regulate interstate and foreign wire and radio communications, no, this clearly was not its intent. The act formed the FCC, the government agency that regulates broadcast TV networks, like Disney’s ABC.

These regular disputes over carriage fees (YouTube TV just got out of one with NBCUniversal) and sometimes the subsequent channel(s) blackouts “continue to hurt local viewers and … the ecosystem of local journalism,” Ripley continued.

Ripley believes his local ABC affiliates should still have their content, primarily news and sports, carried through to YouTube TV subscribers, regardless of Disney’s position. Or at least, maybe ask first? To that end, Ripley says he has spoken with both the SEC and antitrust regulators, and the FCC has “opened an investigation into hurtful network affiliation practices.”

“Disney/ABC and other networks should not be able to dictate to us whether we can or cannot distribute content to YouTube TV or even Hulu and Fubo, which, coincidentally are now also owned by Disney,” Ripley said. “Particularly concerning is that consumers are now being forced to buy more streaming services from one of the parties in the dispute to get the content that they literally already paid for.”

November 6, 2025 0 comments

TV & Streaming

Google Spurns Disney Request to YouTube TV Restore ABC on Election Night

by jummy84 November 4, 2025

written by jummy84

The war of words between Disney and Google continues — on the fourth day of the blackout of ESPN, ABC and other Disney networks on YouTube TV amid a fee dispute.

On Monday, Disney asked Google to offer ABC to YouTube TV customers on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to bring them Election Night coverage.

Google said no — and suggested instead that Disney allow YouTube TV to bring ABC and ESPN back on the air as the two sides hash out a new agreement, because those are ‘the channels that people want.”

“We agree that the right priority here is to give customers what they want. As you know from the many content disputes you’ve been part of, customers don’t want companies fighting and content blackouts. But unfortunately, your proposal would permit us to return Disney’s ABC stations only for a day and will cause customer confusion among those who may briefly see ABC on YouTube TV only to lose it again shortly after,” Google said in its response.

Google noted that “There are plenty of other options for customers – election news information is very widely available across other broadcast stations and news networks on YouTube TV, as well as on the main YouTube service, for free. In fact, on the last two U.S. election days, the vast majority of tuned in YouTube TV subscribers chose not to watch ABC.”

The statement continued, “Publicly resorting to the same tactic that Disney relied on in past disputes fails to acknowledge the distinction between YouTube and other distribution platforms. As you know, Disney can continue to livestream news information on the ABC News YouTube page, which has 19.1 million subscribers, and its ABC local stations can also do so on their YouTube pages.

“To truly achieve what is best for our mutual customers, we propose immediately restoring the Disney channels that our customers watch: ABC and the ESPN networks, while we continue to negotiate. Those are the channels that people want,” Google’s statement concluded.

If you agree with our proposal and give us approval, we can get our operational teams together and get these channels live in hours. Let us know how you’d like to proceed.

Disney said it has sent a proposal to Google for a YouTube TV deal renewal and is awaiting a response.

November 4, 2025 0 comments

TV & Streaming

YouTube TV Blackout of ABC, ESPN, Disney Networks in Deal Dispute

by jummy84 October 31, 2025

written by jummy84

Disney‘s networks including ESPN and ABC are going dark on YouTube TV.

Google says YouTube TV expects to remove Disney’s networks at the stroke of midnight ET, after the two sides remain far apart on a deal renewal to keep ABC, ESPN and more on the internet TV service. The main sticking point is price — Disney is asking for rate hikes that Google isn’t willing to agree to.

YouTube TV says that if Disney’s channels remain unavailable for “an extended period of time,” it will offer subscribers a one-time $20 credit. YouTube TV’s base subscription plan costs $82.99/month. With the blackout, TV users nationwide will lose their local ABC stations, as well as access to ESPN sports programming including NFL, college football, NBA and NHL games.

Beginning at 9 p.m. PT on Oct. 30/12 a.m. ET on Oct. 31, YouTube TV will begin pulling Disney-owned networks off its service, when the companies’ previous agreement expires. In addition to dropping the live networks, YouTube TV also is removing any DVR library recordings users have made from those networks.

Disney began alerting viewers on Oct. 23 about the carriage dispute with YouTube TV, pointing out that its networks could be removed from the pay-TV provider. YouTube TV is the biggest internet-TV service in the U.S., estimated to have more than 10 million subscribers. In second place is Disney, which just closed a deal to merge its Hulu + Live TV business with Fubo; together, those have almost 6 million subs in North America.

“Last week Disney used the threat of a blackout on YouTube TV as a negotiating tactic to force deal terms that would raise prices on our customers,” a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement. “They’re now following through on that threat, suspending their content on YouTube TV. This decision directly harms our subscribers while benefiting their own live TV products, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.”

The YouTube rep continued, “We know this is a frustrating and disappointing outcome for our subscribers and we continue to urge Disney to work with us constructively to reach a fair agreement that restores their networks to YouTube TV. If their content remains off YouTube TV for an extended period of time, we’ll offer subscribers a $20 credit.”

According to Disney, YouTube TV wants a better deal than anyone else in the market — including Comcast and Charter, which have more TV customers — and is unwilling to pay market rates for Disney’s networks or agree to terms that Disney has reached with other distributors, including it own Hulu + Live TV and Fubo services. In its negotiations with Google, Disney also has proposed new genre-based tiers and packaging flexibility to give YouTube TV customers more choices.

“Unfortunately, Google’s YouTube TV has chosen to deny their subscribers the content they value most by refusing to pay fair rates for our channels, including ESPN and ABC,” a Disney spokesperson said. “Without a new agreement in place, their subscribers will not have access to our programming, which includes the best lineup in live sports — anchored by the NFL, NBA, and college football, with 13 of the top 25 college teams playing this weekend.”

The Disney rep continued: “With a $3 trillion market cap, Google is using its market dominance to eliminate competition and undercut the industry-standard terms we’ve successfully negotiated with every other distributor. We know how frustrating this is for YouTube TV subscribers and remain committed to working toward a resolution as quickly as possible.”

Here’s the full list of networks being pulled from YouTube TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, Freeform, FX, FXX, FXM, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, SEC Network, Nat Geo, Nat Geo Wild, ABC News Live, ACC Network, Localish; on the Spanish plan, ESPN Deportes, Baby TV Español and Nat Geo Mundo.

Disney is the latest media conglomerate to lock horns with Google over YouTube TV this year. Others that have fought with the company include Paramount Global (now Paramount Skydance), Fox Corp. and NBCUniversal — each of which reached a new deal without a blackout. However, YouTube TV dropped Univision and other TelevisaUnivision-owned networks at the end of September after the two sides could not reach a new agreement.

In 2023, Disney and Charter had a public battle over a renewal, before the two sides resolved their differences to avoid a blackout. In 2024, ESPN and other Disney nets went dark on DirecTV for nearly two weeks before they reached a new deal. Earlier this month, Disney inked a carriage renewal pact with Comcast without any drama.

In December 2021, Disney and Google reached a carriage renewal after a two-day blackout. YouTube TV first launched in April 2017.

In another wrinkle to the current Disney/Google standoff, Justin Connolly, Disney’s former head of distribution, joined YouTube as VP of global head of media this spring. Disney sued YouTube and Connolly, alleging breach of contract and seeking to block his employment at Google, in part citing Connolly’s knowledge of Disney as it pertained to contract renewal talks for YouTube TV. After Disney lost a legal ruling in the case, they recently reached a settlement on the matter.

Pictured top: ABC’s “High Potential” starring Kaitlin Olson and Daniel Sunjata

October 31, 2025 0 comments

TV & Streaming

‘Dancing With The Stars’ Elaine Hendrix Shares Injury Update & Future In ABC Competition

by jummy84 October 30, 2025

written by jummy84

Elaine Hendrix was forced out of her appearance on Dancing with the Stars this past week due to an injury.

The Parent Trap alum and her partner, Alan Bersten, did not perform during the Halloween special following the incident. In a new video shared on social media, Hendrix gave an update on her health.

“I am starting pain management today,” Hendrix said in a post on Instagram. “I’m not dancing today, I’m not dancing tomorrow. We’ll be back at it Friday.”

As for her future in the ABC dancing competition, Hendrix said, “I’m just getting ready to be in that ballroom next Tuesday.”

Hendrix’s post on Instagram also included a message to fans and everyone who has reached out to her for their support following the injury.

“THANK YOU for every message, vote, and word of encouragement. We couldn’t do this without you,” read the caption of the post. “The hardest part of yesterday was not being able to show you just how incredible our piece could have been. Here’s my costume, hair, and the overall inspo we had planned for last night. The DWTS creative team is THE BEST!”

Hendrix seemingly has no intentions of leaving the competition as long as she is still able to perform. Although she did not dance in the latest show, Hendrix was still judged for the Argentine tango she performed during Tuesday’s rehearsal before she had to be carried off on a stretcher.

In a video she shared online from a hospital bed following the injury, Hendrix said, “Halloween is my favorite, and I’m devastated. I was beyond excited to share what we had worked so hard on, although you’ll see a version of it. With your support, I’ll be back in the ballroom next week. I want nothing more.”

Watch Hendrix’s latest video below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DQaaCVega36/

October 30, 2025 0 comments

TV & Streaming

Michelle Obama to Be Interviewed By Robin Roberts In ABC News Special

by jummy84 October 28, 2025

written by jummy84

“Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts interviews former first lady Michelle Obama in a new ABC News Studios special, “Michelle Obama: The Style, The Power, The Look – A Conversation with Robin Roberts – Special Edition of 20/20,” set to air this Sunday, Nov. 2 on ABC.

The special, which air at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday and will stream the next day on Hulu, is timed to Obama’s upcoming book “The Look.” Roberts’ interview, which was filmed at Marymount University in Virginia, focuses on Obama’s style and other fashion-oriented topics.

“The Look,” which is set to be released by Crown on Nov. 4, was written by Obama with help from Meredith Koop, who worked as Obama’s stylist and creative consultant both during the President Barack Obama administration and after. “The Look” centers on the former first lady’s style from when she first entered the public eye.

Per the description for the ABC News Studios special, “Obama shares the important role and at times complex role fashion has played in her life, from designing her own prom dress at a young age to navigating living in the spotlight as the first Black first lady of the United States and helping define who she is today. A passionate supporter of future generations and education, Obama surprises past and present students who are working to make their own marks on fashion.”

Other interviews in the special include Koop, as well as Obama’s makeup artist Carl Ray and hairstylists Yene Damtew and Njeri Radway. Also in the special are designers Diane von Furstenberg, Jason Wu, Tracy Reese and Narciso Rodriquez, as well as several fashion commentators.

ABC News Studios and 20/20 are behind “Michelle Obama: The Style, The Power, The Look – A Conversation with Robin Roberts – Special Edition of 20/20”; Janice Johnston and Karen Leo are executive producers while David Sloan is senior executive producer.

Here’s the key art for Sunday’s special:

October 28, 2025 0 comments

Hollywood

Nashville’? Her ABC Character – Hollywood Life

by jummy84 October 25, 2025

written by jummy84

Image Credit: Isabelle Tate/Instagram

Isabelle Tate was just 23 when she died. Best known for appearing in the series premiere of ABC’s 9-1-1: Nashville, the young actress’ life, career and health history quickly made headlines when news of her death broke in October 2025. Isabelle may have had a brief role on the show, but her neuromuscular and Charcot-Marie-Tooth diagnoses inspired many to learn more about the illnesses.

“She was also an aspiring actress, and was most recently even featured in a TV show,” Isabelle’s obituary read. “Isabelle loved volunteering her time to all things, particularly animals — her idea of a fun outing was visiting an animal shelter and doling out lots of love. Isabelle was full of fire, a fighter, never once making excuses for the fact that she might have a disability relative to others. She was also quite musically inclined, often spending hours writing and recording songs with friends and even publishing a few.”

Below, find out which character Isabelle played in 9-1-1: Nashville.

Who Did Isabelle Tate Play in 9-1-1: Nashville?

Isabelle played a bachelorette party attendee in the series premiere of 9-1-1: Nashville. Her character receives a dance from stripped-turned-firefighter Blue (played by Hunter McVey).

What Is Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease? Isabelle Tate’s Illness

Isabelle’s talent agency, The McCray Agency, revealed in an October 2025 Instagram Story that she died of “a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.” The agency further noted that she died “peacefully,” but her death was still “sudden” and “shocking” for all.

According to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA), the disease is “a rare multi-system, multi-organ disease that causes life-long, progressive symptoms, including muscle weakness and atrophy in the arms and legs, sensory loss, and other complications. These symptoms often lead to challenges with balance, walking, hand use, and other daily activities.”

Isabelle was battling an illness known as neuromuscular disease. However, her official cause of death was revealed by her talent agency, The McCray Agency, as “a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.” The agency noted in an Instagram Story that Isabelle died “peacefully,” but her death was “sudden” and “shocking” for all close to her.

What Is Neuromuscular Disease?

Neuromuscular disorders are a range of conditions that involve the dysfunction of one’s “peripheral nerves, muscles or the communication between them,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. The illness causes muscle weakness, muscle atrophy and numbness and/or tingling in the body.

Isabelle was diagnosed with neuromuscular disease when she was 13, as seen in a December 2022 Instagram post from her unverified account.

“This has been a difficult journey for me because having to accept help and surrender to the progression of this condition has been extremely hard,” Isabelle wrote at the time. “While I was trying to come to terms with this, I really did find that I lost myself in certain ways. I hated that it was not only breaking me down physically, but I was allowing it to also break down my spirit.”

October 25, 2025 0 comments

TV & Streaming

Why Did ABC Afterschool Specials Get Cancelled After 25 Years?

by jummy84 October 5, 2025

written by jummy84

On the afternoon of Oct. 4, 1972, ABC aired the first-ever ABC Afterschool Special and launched a children’s programming revolution. Called “The Last of the Curlews,” the animated special was based on a Fred Bodsworth novel, crafted by the legendary animation studio Hanna-Barbera and served as a sort of nature documentary for kids as it followed the tragic plight of a now-extinct bird species.

October 5, 2025 0 comments

Celebrity News

‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ to Resume Airing on Sinclair’s ABC Stations, Ending Blackout in Dozens of Cities Boost

by jummy84 September 27, 2025

written by jummy84

‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ to Resume Airing on Sinclair’s ABC Stations, Ending Blackout in Dozens of Cities Boost

Sinclair Broadcast Group announced it will once again carry “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on its ABC-affiliated stations, lifting a blackout that kept the show off the air in dozens of U.S. cities.

The network had previously blacked out the show even after ABC reinstated it nationally, in response to controversial remarks made by Kimmel. Sinclair said its decision to resume airing comes after engaging with local community and advertiser feedback, and reaffirming its duty to balance national programming with local interests.

In an official statement, Sinclair emphasized: “Our objective throughout this process has been to ensure that programming remains accurate and engaging for the widest possible audience.” The company noted that it must juggle responsibilities to its communities while also honoring its network obligations.

The blackout had affected major markets, including Washington, D.C. and Seattle, spotlighting tensions around media, free speech, and affiliate control.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPE0a0bD3Em/?igsh=M3JteHg0cWlvMzBj

September 27, 2025 0 comments

Celebrity News

Jimmy Kimmel’s show returning to all remaining ABC stations, companies say – National

by jummy84 September 26, 2025

written by jummy84

Two U.S. companies will allow Jimmy Kimmel Live! to return to their ABC stations’ airwaves Friday, ending a brief boycott launched after the show’s return.

In a statement posted on social media, Sinclair Broadcast Group said Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show will return to all of its 38 ABC affiliate stations effective Sept. 26.

“Over the last week, we have received thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders representing a wide range of perspectives,” Sinclair said in the statement.

The company also said it noticed “troubling acts of violence,” referencing the shooting into the lobby of a Sacramento ABC station last Friday.

“These events underscore why responsible broadcasting matters and why respectful dialogue between differing voices remains so important,” Sinclair added.

A short time later, Nexstar Media Group said it would also return Kimmel’s show to its 28 ABC affiliate stations beginning Friday night.

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“We have had discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company and appreciate their constructive approach to addressing our concerns,” the company said in a statement.

“As a local broadcaster, Nexstar remains committed to protecting the First Amendment while producing and airing local and national news that is fact-based and unbiased and, above all, broadcasting content that is in the best interest of the communities we serve.”

Kimmel was allowed to return to work, and hosted the show again on Sept. 23 after the network said it had “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel.

Click to play video: 'Kimmel returns to late-night, says didn’t intend ‘to make light’ of Charlie Kirk’s murder'

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Kimmel returns to late-night, says didn’t intend ‘to make light’ of Charlie Kirk’s murder

Both Sinclair and Nexstar said this week they would continue to keep Kimmel off their ABC airwaves despite the return, but said they remained in conversations with ABC and Disney.

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“In our ongoing and constructive discussions with ABC, Sinclair proposed measures to strengthen accountability, viewer feedback, and community dialogue, including a network-wide independent ombudsman,” Sinclair said Friday.

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It noted the company has yet to adopt those measures.

ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! completely on Sept. 17 after the namesake host made comments during a broadcast about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The suspension was announced shortly after Nexstar and Sinclair said they would pre-empt Kimmel’s show.

Brendan Carr, chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, suggested earlier that same day that companies should take action against Kimmel over his comments “or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr added, comments that Democrats and other critics have said amounted to government pressure on affiliate stations, ABC and Disney.

United States President Donald Trump has been openly critical of the late-night host in the past, among others, and has previously suggested putting pressure on networks to have their shows cancelled.

Click to play video: 'Fallon, Kimmel are ‘next’ after Colbert cancellation and Stern exit: Trump'

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Fallon, Kimmel are ‘next’ after Colbert cancellation and Stern exit: Trump

Trump spoke at a press conference last month and responded to reporters saying:

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“Fallon has no talent. Kimmel has no talent. They’re next. They’re going to be going. I hear they’re going to be going. I don’t know, but I would imagine because they’d get — you know, Colbert has better ratings than Kimmel or Fallon,” Trump said.

In its statement, Sinclair said its earlier decision to pre-empt Jimmy Kimmel Live! was done without government pressure.

“Our decision to pre-empt this program was independent of any government interaction or influence,” it said.

Nexstar also insisted its decisions were made due to its commitment “to be stewards of the public airwaves and to protect and reflect the specific sensibilities of our communities.”

“To be clear, our commitment to those principles has guided our decisions throughout this process, independent of any external influence from government agencies or individuals,” the company’s statement said.

Nexstar last month announced a $6.2 billion deal to buy TEGNA Inc., which owns 64 other TV stations.

The deal would require the FCC to change rules limiting the number of stations a single company can own. Carr has expressed openness to changing the rule.

Sinclair has also petitioned the FCC to relax its rules limiting broadcaster ownership of stations.

Kimmel has referenced the decision to not air his show on some stations since returning to ABC this week.

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“We are broadcasting to about 75 per cent of the country from Los Angeles, California, tonight,” he said in his monologue Thursday night.

He noted next week’s shows will be taking place in Brooklyn, N.Y.

“What we have to do now is stay on the move so the FCC can’t get us,” he joked.

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September 26, 2025 0 comments

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