Kimmel Returns to ABC, But Local Stations Still Push Back in Ongoing Dispute
September 26, 2025 – The battle over jimmy Kimmel Live! continues as the show is set to return to ABC tonight, despite preemptions planned by major local station groups Nexstar and Sinclair. This escalating conflict, sparked by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s pressure, highlights a critical power struggle reshaping the future of broadcast television.
disney announced Kimmel’s return after a week of the late-night show being sidelined, but Nexstar and Sinclair are defying the network, opting to air option programming in their markets. This move is widely seen as a political statement, aimed at appeasing the FCC Chairman who has been critical of Disney’s content.
Though, these preemptions aren’t without risk. Media analyst Paul Farhi, formerly of The washington Post, points out that affiliate agreements limit how often local stations can replace network programming.
“[Sinclair] is highly likely on a short leash,” Farhi tweeted, explaining that exceeding these limits could lead to penalties or even cancellation of the affiliate agreement.
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Nerdy but true: A
