• Jimmy Kimmel resumed broadcasting Tuesday after a short network suspension.
• Sinclair and Nexstar affiliates still refuse to air his show in many markets.
• ABC is reportedly weighing pulling SEC football in those blackout zones.

LOS ANGELES, CA (TDR) — Jimmy Kimmel made his return to Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tuesday evening after an ABC-mandated suspension prompted by remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death, but the comeback was incomplete: Sinclair and Nexstar affiliates continued to preempt the show, denying viewers in key regions access and replacing it with local news or alternate programming in over 20 percent of U.S. markets. Disney has reportedly responded by threatening to pull SEC football broadcasts in those blackout markets, signaling a broader escalation in the tug-of-war over control of network content and political influence.

Stakes and Strategy

The heart of the conflict lies in the balance of power between national networks and local affiliates. On one side, ABC must protect its programming integrity and resist having its schedule overridden by station groups. On the other, Sinclair and Nexstar are leveraging their local dominance to demand concessions: a formal apology from Kimmel, donations to Turning Point USA, and contractual guarantees about future commentary. Their refusal to relent reflects confidence in their negotiating power, especially with Nexstar’s pending merger with Tegna awaiting FCC approval. Combined, Sinclair and Nexstar control more than 70 ABC stations, reaching about 23–25 percent of U.S. households. Reuters reported their sustained preemption despite Kimmel’s return.

If ABC follows through on its football threat, this standoff would escalate dramatically. Live sports are among the few guaranteed draws left in broadcast television; pulling SEC games would undercut local stations, aggravate viewers and advertisers, and raise legal and contractual alarms. However, network-affiliate contracts generally limit how often affiliates may decline network programming before sanctions kick in. Preempting too often could push station groups past those boundaries, inviting penalties.

Political Pressure and Free Speech

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10

This clash also carries strong overtones of regulatory pressure. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s threats in the wake of Kimmel’s monologue amplified the stakes, creating a real or perceived backdrop of government influence over content decisions. Kimmel, in his return, defended political satire and criticized regulatory interference—asserting that comedians shouldn’t be forced into self-censorship. Disney investors, meanwhile, are demanding clarity on whether the suspension owed more to external pressure than to internal policy.

The threat of retaliatory blackouts—if ABC moves to pull sports—is being scrutinized as potential censorship. Critics argue the network would effectively punish local viewers and skew its leverage against dissenting station owners. Supporters see it as a necessary stand to defend centralized media prerogative.

What Comes Next

What matters now is who blinks first. Sinclair and Nexstar may soften their stance if ABC offers compromise. Alternatively, ABC could call their bluff by executing the football pull, forcing affiliates to choose between viewership revenue and autonomy. With sports fans and governors paying attention, the public relations risk is high. Whether this becomes a permanent fracture or a tense but temporary showdown depends on which side values control more—and what each is truly willing to lose.

Will ABC actually pull SEC football in those markets—or is this just a bluff meant to force Sinclair and Nexstar into retreat?

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE THE DUPREE REPORT

Watch the fallout—subscribe to The Wayne Dupree Show on YouTube

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10