Did This Planned Broadcasting Merger Play a Part in Kimmel's Firing?

[MrWowWow]

Last edited Fri Sep 19, 2025, 04:15 AM - Edit history (1)

The Nexstar–Tegna deal — a roughly $6.2 billion acquisition that would combine two of the biggest local TV station groups (including many ABC affiliates) — and it requires FCC approval.


There is credible reporting suggesting that a planned broadcasting merger played a part in the decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! off air (at least temporarily) — but it isn’t confirmed as the sole reason. Here’s what the coverage indicates:


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What’s Known / Alleged

Nexstar Media Group is pursuing a $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna.

Nexstar owns many ABC affiliate stations that would be involved in the deal.

After Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about the killing of Charlie Kirk, Nexstar announced it would pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its ABC affiliates.

Some observers — including Democratic lawmakers — have explicitly linked Nexstar’s decision to remove the show to its pending merger request, suggesting that Nexstar might have been under regulatory or political pressure.

The FCC Chair, Brendan Carr, also reportedly made statements criticizing Kimmel’s comments, and some media‐analysis pieces suggest that broadcasters like Nexstar might want to stay “on good terms” given their regulatory business and pending merger approvals.



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What’s Not Confirmed

No public document conclusively shows that the merger approval was conditional on pulling Kimmel’s show, or that ABC or Nexstar made that decision because of a direct mandate tied to the acquisition.

It’s not confirmed whether internal company discussions explicitly cited the merger as a reason for suspension.

ABC has cited concerns about the content being “offensive and insensitive” rather than saying the merger necessitated the pull.



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My Best Assessment (based on available info)

Given the overlap of:

1. The timing (Kimmel’s remarks → Nexstar pulling the show soon after)


2. Nexstar’s pending merger with Tegna and its need for FCC approval


3. Public statements and commentary from the FCC chair and other regulators



…it is plausible the merger played a role in increasing pressure on Nexstar (and possibly ABC) to act in a way that avoided regulatory scrutiny or possible objections. But saying it was definitively the cause would be speculative at this point.

https://thedesk.net/2025/09/nexstar-sinclair-jimmy-kimmel-fcc-deals