Jimmy Kimmel Live! to Return to Air After Sinclair Broadcast Group Boycott

In a surprising turn of events, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group have announced that they will resume broadcasting Jimmy Kimmel Live! on their ABC affiliate stations starting this Friday night. The decision marks the end of a boycott that had been in place for more than a week, sparking controversy and debate among media outlets and viewers alike.

Background: The Boycott

The boycott began on February 28th, when Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group, two major television station owners, launched a coordinated effort to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their airwaves. The move was in response to a recent controversy surrounding the show's hosts and guests, as well as the network's decision to feature a story critical of President Donald Trump.

At the heart of the boycott was a segment on February 22nd that featured an interview with Rachel Maddow, host of MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show. During the conversation, Kimmel made light of a recent speech by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), suggesting that he sounded like a "senile dog." McConnell responded to the comment in a statement, which was then shared on social media and sparked outrage among Trump supporters.

Sinclair Broadcast Group's Stance

In a press release issued at the time, Sinclair Broadcast Group claimed that they had pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their airwaves due to what they described as "anti-Trump bias" displayed by the show. The company accused ABC of allowing "irresponsible and partisan talk" on its network.

Nexstar Media Group's Response

Similarly, Nexstar Media Group released a statement expressing their support for Sinclair Broadcast Group's decision. They stated that they had chosen to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their airwaves in order to promote more balanced and neutral programming.

The Resumption of Broadcasting

However, it appears that both companies have now reversed their stance, deciding to resume broadcasting Jimmy Kimmel Live! on their ABC affiliate stations. The decision is seen as a victory for the show's producers and host, who had expressed frustration with the boycott and its impact on their ability to produce content.

Implications of the Boycott

The boycott has significant implications for media outlets and viewers alike. By pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their airwaves, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group effectively gave ABC a platform to take a stand against what they perceive as anti-Trump bias on the show. However, this move also drew criticism from many, who saw it as an attempt by the companies to silence dissenting voices and promote a more partisan agenda.

Conclusion

The return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! to air after more than a week without it is a welcome development for fans of the show. While the boycott raised important questions about media bias and the role of television in shaping public discourse, its resolution serves as a reminder that even in the face of controversy, programming must be allowed to continue.

Relevant Statistics

• Revenue Loss: The boycott is estimated to have resulted in a significant loss of revenue for ABC affiliate stations owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group.
• Viewership: According to Nielsen ratings, Jimmy Kimmel Live! saw a significant drop in viewership during the time the show was not on the air.