Late-night show of Jimmy Kimmel stands uncertain following ABC's suspension, stemming from remarks made about Charlie Kirk.
In a recent turn of events, ABC News has suspended the late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" following comments made by its host, Jimmy Kimmel. The decision has sparked a wave of reactions across the media landscape and political circles.
ABC News operates 28 ABC affiliates, and Sinclair, another major player, manages 38 ABC stations. However, two other companies, Nexstar Communications Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, refused to air Kimmel's show due to his comments, representing a significant financial hit for ABC News as roughly 230 stations across the country carry ABC News programming.
The controversy stems from Kimmel's comments about the fatal shooting of a prominent conservative figure, Charlie Kirk. The suspension has been met with anger and disappointment in some political circles and the creative community. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren accused media companies of enabling authoritarianism by suspending Kimmel's show.
Kimmel himself has not commented on the suspension. However, in an interview this past summer, he expressed concern about the administration targeting comedians, as it has journalists. This concern seems to have been validated by the recent events.
The refusal by stations to air a program is not an unheard-of occurrence. In a similar incident, CBS News parent Paramount paid $16 million to settle Trump's lawsuit against "60 Minutes." Disney's settlement of $15 million towards Trump's presidential library set a precedent for media companies.
The FCC, which regulates broadcasting in the United States, has also been drawn into the fray. The chairman of the FCC, Brendan Carr, said Kimmel appeared to be making an intentional effort to mislead the public about the accused's political affiliations. This statement comes amidst ongoing FCC-related business activities, such as SpaceX's Starlink acquiring $17 billion worth of mobile licenses from EchoStar.
The political landscape has also been shaped by these events. Former President Barack Obama criticized the administration for threatening regulatory action against media companies. President Donald Trump, in response to Kimmel's comments, said the host had bad ratings and should have been fired long ago, and later suggested federal regulators should consider revoking broadcast licenses for networks that give him bad publicity.
In the midst of this, CBS announced that Stephen Colbert's show would be canceled at the end of next season, raising suspicions of political influence. Bill Carter, an authority on late-night TV, suggested that Disney CEO Bob Iger may see capitulation as a stain on his reputation.
As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how this incident will shape the future of comedy and media in the United States. Kimmel, for his part, has not indicated whether he will return to the airwaves following the suspension.
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