Inside The $6.2B Nexstar–Tegna Merger And How It Led To Jimmy Kimmel’s Ouster From ABC - Fedlan News | FN Newsroom
Inside The $6.2B Nexstar–Tegna Merger And How It Led To Jimmy Kimmel’s Ouster From ABC - Fedlan News | FN Newsroom: Inside the $6.2B Nexstar–Tegna Merger and how it fueled Jimmy Kimmel’s ouster from ABC, raising fears of politics silencing comedy.
At the center of Jimmy Kimmel's sudden removal from ABC is more than just Donald Trump's obvious dislike for his humor—it's also deeply tied to the business interests of Nexstar, one of the country's most influential owners of local television stations. Nexstar recently announced a staggering $6.2 billion merger with Tegna, a move that would dramatically expand its reach and influence across American broadcasting. When a single company wields that level of control over affiliates and programming, every decision it makes can send shockwaves through the media landscape.
The merger, unveiled on August 19, 2025, is still under scrutiny by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice, with a final decision not expected until the latter half of 2026. Even before regulatory approval, Nexstar moved quickly to safeguard its standing with the administration. The company announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would no longer air on its ABC-affiliated stations "for the foreseeable future." The explanation was straightforward: Nexstar said it "strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk" and promised to replace the show with alternative programming.
This decision highlights how corporate consolidation and political pressure can intersect, turning editorial and programming choices into strategic maneuvers rather than purely creative ones. For Nexstar, keeping the merger on track and maintaining favor with powerful political figures clearly took precedence over the continuity of a long-running late-night show.
The merger, unveiled on August 19, 2025, is still under scrutiny by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice, with a final decision not expected until the latter half of 2026. Even before regulatory approval, Nexstar moved quickly to safeguard its standing with the administration. The company announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would no longer air on its ABC-affiliated stations "for the foreseeable future." The explanation was straightforward: Nexstar said it "strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk" and promised to replace the show with alternative programming.
This decision highlights how corporate consolidation and political pressure can intersect, turning editorial and programming choices into strategic maneuvers rather than purely creative ones. For Nexstar, keeping the merger on track and maintaining favor with powerful political figures clearly took precedence over the continuity of a long-running late-night show.
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