Jimmy Kimmel‘s Talk Show Paused by Nexstar Amidst Controversy and FCC Concerns
WASHINGTON – Nexstar Media Group has indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show across its local stations, following widespread backlash over remarks Kimmel made regarding the recent death of conservative commentator Bill Kirk. The decision, announced November 16, 2023, comes as a petition demanding the show’s cancellation surpassed one million signatures and as Nexstar executives expressed concern over potential Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repercussions related to broadcast standards.
The suspension impacts Nexstar’s viewership in numerous local markets and underscores the escalating tensions surrounding political discourse in media.Nexstar, one of the largest local television broadcasters in the United States, cited Kimmel’s comments as “offensive and insensitive” during a ”critical moment of our national political discourse,” arguing they did not reflect the values of the communities it serves. The move highlights the delicate balance broadcasters must maintain to adhere to FCC regulations regarding responsible journalism and the potential for licence revocation.
According to a statement released by Nexstar’s broadcasting division president,Andrew Alford,the company persistent that continuing to provide Kimmel a broadcast platform was “simply not in the public interest at the moment.” Alford stated, “Continue to give mr. Kimmel a transmission platform in the communities we serve simply is not in the public interest at the moment, and we make the difficult decision to interrupt his program in an effort to let calm minds prevail as we walk towards the resumption of a respectful and constructive dialog.“
The controversy stems from comments made by Kimmel on his show regarding Kirk’s passing, which critics labeled as disrespectful and mocking. This ignited a swift and substantial online response, culminating in a petition garnering over one million signatures calling for the show’s cancellation. nexstar’s internal assessment reportedly included a warning that continued airing of the program risked triggering an FCC investigation and potential license revocation due to a perceived “news distortion pattern.”
Nexstar has indicated it will reassess the situation as the national conversation evolves, but has not provided a timeline for a potential return of the program to its stations. The suspension raises questions about the boundaries of comedic expression in politically charged environments and the influence of public pressure on broadcast networks.
