Two of the nation’s largest local TV station groups, Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, have pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from their ABC affiliates, saying the late-night show no longer serves the public interest. The blackout raises the question: Has this happened before?
Precedent in 1993: ‘NYPD Blue’ blackout
A similar boycott occurred in 1993, when “NYPD Blue” debuted on ABC. 57 affiliates refused to air the series, citing concerns about sexual content, profanity, and violence.
At the time, WMBB-TV in Panama City, Florida, joined the blackout.
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“The show is very well produced, but the sexual content, profanity and violence were, I felt, a little bit too strong,” General Manager Hugh Roche said. “I have received around 600 phone calls congratulating me on making that decision and not more than five or six complaining about us not carrying it.”
Then-ABC president Bob Iger, now Disney’s CEO, worked directly with the show’s creators on how far the series could push boundaries.
Years later, the FCC attempted to fine affiliates $1.4 million for a brief nudity scene in an “NYPD Blue” episode, but the Supreme Court struck down the penalty.
NBC’s ‘Book of Daniel’ pulled in 2006
In 2006, controversy erupted over NBC’s “The Book of Daniel,” which portrayed a priest raising a family that included a gay son, while also depicting conversations with Jesus. At least nine affiliates refused to air the series, calling it “blasphemous” and “anti-Christian.”
“Our relationship with NBC always provided for the right to reject programming,” Rick Rogala, general manager of an Arkansas NBC affiliate, said of his decision to preempt the show. “Subsequent viewing of the material within ‘The Book of Daniel’ leaves me no choice but to do my job and uphold the standards of our community.”
The show was pulled from programming after just three episodes.
Abortion storylines also triggered backlash
Concerns over controversial themes go back decades. In 1973, The New York Times reported that 25 CBS affiliates refused to air episodes of “Maude” that addressed abortion. Station managers argued the storyline conflicted with the standards and expectations of their audiences.
The current boycott: ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’
Fast-forward to today, and the continued standoff surrounding “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is one of the most sweeping coordinated boycotts of a show. The theme of preempting shows deemed not to serve the public interest of local communities continues.
“Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest,” Nexstar said in a statement.
Sinclair added it would not return the program to air “until we are confident it upholds the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”
Both companies cited concerns over Kimmel’s rhetoric following his remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
A rare display of affiliate power
From “NYPD Blue” in the 1990s to “The Book of Daniel” and “Maude,” affiliates have occasionally refused to air network programs, but such blackouts remain rare.
It is unclear whether or when Nexstar and Sinclair will lift their block, but both companies have indicated that discussions with ABC regarding the issue are ongoing.
