House Oversight Democrats Press Nexstar on Kimmel's Continued Preemption
House Oversight Committee ranking member Robert Garcia of California and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee ranking member Maxwell Frost of Florida on Wednesday expanded panel Democrats’ investigation into ABC's temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! (see 2509180055) to also probe why Nexstar Media Group is continuing to preempt the show following its return to air. The committee Democrats’ investigation already also included Sinclair, which continues to preempt Kimmel as well (see 2509230051). Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and three other Democratic senators pressed Nexstar and Sinclair earlier this week on the matter.
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“While Kimmel and Disney came to an agreement to bring” the host back on air as of Tuesday, “Sinclair and Nexstar … announced that they would continue to preempt the show,” Garcia and Frost said in a letter to Nexstar CEO Perry Sook. “The Trump Administration’s actions and the subsequent response by Nexstar and Sinclair raise a concern that the Administration is using the FCC as a tool to silence media and commentators who criticize the President or conservative viewpoints.” Nexstar and Sinclair continuing to preempt Kimmel allows FCC Chairman Brendan Carr “to carry out [President Donald] Trump’s demands for retribution against companies that do not align with his agenda by sheer intimidation,” the lawmakers said.
Garcia and Frost asked Nexstar to provide information by Oct. 8 on communications with the FCC and other federal agencies about the company’s news coverage since Trump returned to office Jan. 20, along with any talks with ABC on broadcast licensing and content matters since that day. The lawmakers also want Nexstar to report back on communications with DOJ about broadcast licensing issues and the company’s proposed $6.2 billion purchase of Tegna (see 2508190042). Nexstar didn’t immediately comment.