Nexstar ABC Stations Dropping Kimmel

[Georgie56 3661]

Well, consider the Tegna merger DOA, especially if Carr has his way with Nexstar.

[NowBergen 924]

13 minutes ago, atlnews2 said:

I really hope in the coming days someone leaks to the press the discussions between Disney and these companies

At least Nexstar didn’t put out an embarrassing statement like Sinclair saying an apology wasn’t enough, Kimmel also needed to donate money to TurningPoinyUSA 

 

Sinclair walked back basically everything in that initial press release. The Kirk special, the donation, the apology, everything 

Just saw that both press releases from Sinclair and Nexstar included an almost identical line that "our decision to preempt the program was independent of any government interaction and influence.  That fact both had similar statements make one think 1- it was written for them and 2- its confirmation of the opposite.

[Recovering Producer 410]

2 minutes ago, NowBergen said:

Just saw that both press releases from Sinclair and Nexstar included an almost identical line that "our decision to preempt the program was independent of any government interaction and influence.  That fact both had similar statements make one think 1- it was written for them and 2- its confirmation of the opposite.

Almost identical statements? This is extremely dangerous to our democracy. /s

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

Come renewal time, this will cost Sinclair and Nexstar some affiliations next year.  Mostly in markets where something is in play.  But in places like St. Louis and Columbus, they're probably stuck for the long haul unless there's a station thats not only available, but can meet ABC's demands...

[NowBergen 924]

14 minutes ago, tyrannical bastard said:

Come renewal time, this will cost Sinclair and Nexstar some affiliations next year.  Mostly in markets where something is in play.  But in places like St. Louis and Columbus, they're probably stuck for the long haul unless there's a station thats not only available, but can meet ABC's demands...

 

In St. Louis, you would have thought ABC would have kicked KDNL and Sinclair aside.  Not sure why they put up with a zombie operation.

[TVLurker 389]

17 minutes ago, NowBergen said:

 

In St. Louis, you would have thought ABC would have kicked KDNL and Sinclair aside.  Not sure why they put up with a zombie operation.

I'm surprised Nexstar hasn't made a play for ABC on KPLR. I know about the Jimmy Kimmel controversy but still. They would get better ratings on KPLR.

[nathannah 2792]

33 minutes ago, TVLurker said:

I'm surprised Nexstar hasn't made a play for ABC on KPLR. I know about the Jimmy Kimmel controversy but still. They would get better ratings on KPLR.

Sadly I think they care more about propping up the CW than acquiring another network affiliation these days; they control the network and the rest of the schedule, so taking a network affiliation would get in the way of the revenue they get (I would love to hear how them and KDNL's favorite advertiser Bommarito had to handle all the feedback this week, because you know they got a lot).

[Glimmer 340]

1 hour ago, TVLurker said:

I'm surprised Nexstar hasn't made a play for ABC on KPLR. I know about the Jimmy Kimmel controversy but still. They would get better ratings on KPLR.

If ABC wanted KPLR, they would have had it at this point; keeping KPLR was clearly a priority for Koplar in 1994, Tribune in 2012 and probably Nexstar now 

[CraigViewer 107]

This all would have been unsustainable for both Sinclair and Nexstar to continue long term in preempting Kimmel.  They recognize the public outcry and the soaring ratings his post-suspension shows had this week.  Also, it's worth noting, that according to a media report today, Disney CEO Bob Iger may have been on the verge of playing hardball against Sinclair and Nexstar by threatening to pull top ABC broadcasts, like MNF, off their ABC affiliates if they did not reinstate Kimmel soon.

 

[MidwestTV 1358]

Perry Sook attached a letter to employees when the press release was sent internally too. He said they had "constructive" discussions with ABC/Disney. He also said Nexstar "regrets" the earful stations had to endure (especially ABC affiliates) over some stations receiving threats and had hostile conversations with the public.  

 

It is no coincidence that both companies decided, within a couple hours of each other, to bring Kimmel back. Sinclair even had the audacity to say ABC didn't accept their so-called "proposal" (read: demands) to "strengthen accountability, viewer feedback, and community dialogue, including a network-wide independent ombudsman.” I wouldn't be surprise if Iger told them to pound sand and how dare they make demands on how a totally different company operates.

 

I can absolutely believe that either:

A) ABC threatened to strip affiliations and clearly wasn't bluffing
B) ABC threatened to not give them SEC football (Georgia-Alabama is tomorrow, and both have a huge southern presence), Monday Night Football, or ABC News programming removing any reason at all to watch them or
C) both 

 

At the end of an AP story:

Quote

Matthew Dolgin, senior equity analyst at research firm Morningstar, said he wasn’t surprised by Kimmel’s return to the local stations.

 

“The relationship with Disney is far too important for these firms to risk,” Dolgin said. And setting aside legal rights from either side, he added, “Disney would’ve been free to take its affiliate agreements elsewhere in 2026 if these relationships were too difficult. That scenario would be devastating to Nexstar and Sinclair.”

 

That would have been a disastrous headache for everyone and even NexClair realized they couldn't handle it.

Edited September 27, 2025 by MidwestTV

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

Way back when, you didn't have the problem of mega station groups preempting a show...but there was KORK (now KSNV) in Las Vegas that was preempting tons of NBC programming including the World Series. Back then, networks actually paid stations to air their programming but they figure they could make more money selling local ads for other "local" shows.

 

I think the impetus for their forced sale was putting their own ads over ones that NBC sold.  Jim Rogers was trying to wrestle away the license from Donrey and succeeded after Donrey was essentially forced to sell to him under public and network pressure.

 

If the FCC actually cared, we wouldn't have to worry about Station group "A" selling to Station group "B".  Problem stations would be taken care of and forced to sell to someone else regardless.  But this is likely next to impossible the way that megastation groups control everything now.

[NowBergen 924]

2 hours ago, tyrannical bastard said:

Way back when, you didn't have the problem of mega station groups preempting a show...but there was KORK (now KSNV) in Las Vegas that was preempting tons of NBC programming including the World Series. Back then, networks actually paid stations to air their programming but they figure they could make more money selling local ads for other "local" shows.

 

I think the impetus for their forced sale was putting their own ads over ones that NBC sold.  Jim Rogers was trying to wrestle away the license from Donrey and succeeded after Donrey was essentially forced to sell to him under public and network pressure.

 

If the FCC actually cared, we wouldn't have to worry about Station group "A" selling to Station group "B".  Problem stations would be taken care of and forced to sell to someone else regardless.  But this is likely next to impossible the way that megastation groups control everything now.

It will be interesting with 2026 renewals coming up for both station groups what stand Disney will take.  Will they attempt to move a few stations to show they can seriously rip affiliations away if station groups get too testy, and, include clauses that limit preemptions like this?  

 

All of a sudden, Nexstar and Sinclair's bargaining power has diminished. And not just with ABC, as I'm sure NBC and CBS were watching intently.  Taking Brendan Carr's role in this out for now, they didn't accomplish very much other than opened up outrage about free speech & forced censorship and incurred viewer criticism that Sook actually refers to.  Will the outrage carries over to the FCC and impacts Nester's application to buy Tegna?  

[mre29 1967]

5 hours ago, NowBergen said:

All of a sudden, Nexstar and Sinclair's bargaining power has diminished. And not just with ABC, as I'm sure NBC and CBS were watching intently.  Taking Brendan Carr's role in this out for now, they didn't accomplish very much other than opened up outrage about free speech & forced censorship and incurred viewer criticism that Sook actually refers to.  Will the outrage carries over to the FCC and impacts Nester's application to buy Tegna?  

 

If Nexstar and Sinclair would have been able to get away with preempting Kimmel long-term, I really think they would've dropped the other late-night talkers as well (Colbert, Fallon, Meyers, and possibly the double-dose of Comics Unleashed).

 

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

Had there been an SEC blackout on ABC today....

 

(Notre Dame vs Arkansas)

This could have been widespread with the Notre Dame fanbase, and a major issue in Little Rock (KATV), Evansville (WEHT) and Terre Haute (WAWV).

It could have also spread to Joplin (KODE) as well.

 

(LSU vs Ole Miss)

MAJOR problem in New Orleans (WGNO), and potentially Mobile/Pensacola (WEAR) and Birmingham (ABC 33/40)

minor issues in Nashville (WKRN), Chattanooga (WTVC), and other Nexstar/Sinclair ABC affiliates in the southeast.

 

(Alabama vs Georgia)
It would have been a major problem in Birmingham (ABC 33/40), Mobile (WEAR), Augusta (WJBF) and Macon (WGXA). 

"minor" problem in Panama City (WMBB), Asheville/Greenville/Spartanburg (WLOS), Charleston (WCIV), Myrtle Beach (WPDE), Greenville/New Bern (WCTI), Greensboro/Winston Salem (WXLV), Roanoke/Lynchburg (WSET), Richmond (WRIC), Chattanooga (WTVC), Knoxville (WATE), Tri-Cities (WJHL-DT2) and Nashville (WKRN).

 

Had a blackout taken place, ESPN3 is listed as an option...would the viewers been able to watch with either their ESPN subscription/credentials or ESPN+ subscription?

Edited September 27, 2025 by tyrannical bastard

[AmericanErrorist 267]

4 hours ago, tyrannical bastard said:

Had a blackout taken place, ESPN3 is listed as an option...would the viewers been able to watch with either their ESPN subscription/credentials or ESPN+ subscription?

ESPN3 is a service provided as part of internet packages with no charge to the consumer. Every ISP that carries ESPN on a traditional video package (and many who do not) has it outside of said packages, and login is either through an ISP check or provider sign-in. The satellite and virtual TV providers carry it regardless of local station availability. 

Edited September 27, 2025 by AmericanErrorist

[MorningNews 1711]

8 hours ago, tyrannical bastard said:

Had there been an SEC blackout on ABC today....

 

(Notre Dame vs Arkansas)

This could have been widespread with the Notre Dame fanbase, and a major issue in Little Rock (KATV), Evansville (WEHT) and Terre Haute (WAWV).

It could have also spread to Joplin (KODE) as well.

 

(LSU vs Ole Miss)

MAJOR problem in New Orleans (WGNO), and potentially Mobile/Pensacola (WEAR) and Birmingham (ABC 33/40)

minor issues in Nashville (WKRN), Chattanooga (WTVC), and other Nexstar/Sinclair ABC affiliates in the southeast.

 

(Alabama vs Georgia)
It would have been a major problem in Birmingham (ABC 33/40), Mobile (WEAR), Augusta (WJBF) and Macon (WGXA). 

"minor" problem in Panama City (WMBB), Asheville/Greenville/Spartanburg (WLOS), Charleston (WCIV), Myrtle Beach (WPDE), Greenville/New Bern (WCTI), Greensboro/Winston Salem (WXLV), Roanoke/Lynchburg (WSET), Richmond (WRIC), Chattanooga (WTVC), Knoxville (WATE), Tri-Cities (WJHL-DT2) and Nashville (WKRN).

 

Had a blackout taken place, ESPN3 is listed as an option...would the viewers been able to watch with either their ESPN subscription/credentials or ESPN+ subscription?

Razorback fans probably would’ve been perfectly fine missing that crapfest today.

[mre29 1967]

On 9/26/2025 at 6:55 PM, NowBergen said:

In St. Louis, you would have thought ABC would have kicked KDNL and Sinclair aside.  Not sure why they put up with a zombie operation.

 

How's ABC's relationship with Weigel? That company owns KNLC.

 

[AmericanErrorist 267]

49 minutes ago, mre29 said:

 

How's ABC's relationship with Weigel? That company owns KNLC.

 

Weigel would have to start up a news operation and buy rights to a slate of current syndicated programming from scratch.

[mre29 1967]

6 hours ago, AmericanErrorist said:

Weigel would have to start up a news operation and buy rights to a slate of current syndicated programming from scratch.

 

Hm. Sounds like it might be easier to hope KDNL is one of the station Sinclair eventually unloads.

 

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

9 hours ago, mre29 said:

 

Hm. Sounds like it might be easier to hope KDNL is one of the station Sinclair eventually unloads.

 

Anything Weigel does (even if it's piping in news updates from Chicago, South Bend or Milwaukee) is better than what Sinclair has been providing St. Louis viewers.

They could be a wild card in markets they operate stations in alongside Sinclair or Nexstar to grab a bounced affiliation from.

 

And if the said stations are the ones that carry their MeTV networks, that's an even bigger draw to lure in another affiliation.  MeTV gets decent numbers in many places, even as subchannels.

 

If Lilly can snag CBS from a Nexstar station and put in on a .2, it's possible.  And guess what WZMQ's primary subchannel is?

Edited September 29, 2025 by tyrannical bastard

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

Here are the markets where Weigel operates where they could take over the ABC affiliation from Sinclair or Nexstar:

 

Hartford-New Haven, CT (WHCT-LD replacing Nexstar's WTNH)

Washington, DC (WDME-CD replacing Sinclair's WJLA)

Rockford, IL (WFBN-LD replacing Mission's WTVO)

Evansville, IN (WZDS-LD replacing Nexstar's WEHT)

 

And the big ones....
St. Louis (KNLC replacing our favorite Sinclair doormat KDNL)

Nashville (WJFB replacing Nexstar's WKRN)

Salt Lake City (KCSG replacing Nexstar's KTVX)

Seattle (KFOV and/or KVOS replacing Sinclair's KOMO)

 

If only Weigel could snag a Mobile or Pensacola station, they could strip it from WEAR, they should get bonus points for their own pre-emptions over the years and being part of the WPMI/WFGX/WJTC gaggle of stations through Deerfield.

Edited September 29, 2025 by tyrannical bastard

[MD TV 389]

Apparently this was how bad the Disney streaming cancellations were while Kimmel was off the air:

 

 

[mre29 1967]

4 hours ago, tyrannical bastard said:

And guess what WZMQ's primary subchannel is?

 

The same as KNLC's primary?  

 

[NowBergen 924]

1 hour ago, MD TV said:

Apparently this was how bad the Disney streaming cancellations were while Kimmel was off the air:

 

 

 

I think viewers have spoken about trump blackmail and freedom of speech!

4 hours ago, tyrannical bastard said:

Here are the markets where Weigel operates where they could take over the ABC affiliation from Sinclair or Nexstar:

 

Hartford-New Haven, CT (WHCT-LD replacing Nexstar's WTNH)

Washington, DC (WDME-CD replacing Sinclair's WJLA)

Rockford, IL (WFBN-LD replacing Mission's WTVO)

Evansville, IN (WZDS-LD replacing Nexstar's WEHT)

 

And the big ones....
St. Louis (KNLC replacing our favorite Sinclair doormat KDNL)

Nashville (WJFB replacing Nexstar's WKRN)

Salt Lake City (KCSG replacing Nexstar's KTVX)

Seattle (KFOV and/or KVOS replacing Sinclair's KOMO)

 

If only Weigel could snag a Mobile or Pensacola station, they could strip it from WEAR, they should get bonus points for their own pre-emptions over the years and being part of the WPMI/WFGX/WJTC gaggle of stations through Deerfield.

 

The fact ABC has lived with a zombie station like KDNL for so long doesn't give me much hope.

[Megatron81 343]

I thought that Sinclair & Nexstar were going to return Jimmy Kimmel to the ABC stations I didn't think it was going to last long. Where I live it wasn't a problem since TEGNA owned WZZM and kept Jimmy Kimmel as is. I'm not into late night talk shows that goes back since I was a teen when it was Leno & Letterman.

 

I didn't know in 93 that WZZM didn't air NYPD Blue in its first season they aired Baywatch on Wed at 10PM. At my first house the cable company I had at the time didn't have WZZM I had WOTV, and they aired NYPD Blue and didn't ban it.