U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, has urged Sinclair Broadcast Group to restore Jimmy Kimmel Live! to KOMO-TV in Seattle and its other affiliates nationwide. In a letter addressed to Sinclair President and CEO Christopher S. Ripley, Cantwell expressed concern over the continued preemption of the late-night talk show.
“The First Amendment ensures the freedom of expression and a free press, and our nation’s media landscape needs to embody those ideals,” wrote Sen. Cantwell. “As a trusted voice in the community, local broadcasting is a critical part of that landscape. Your decision not to reinstate comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show appears contrary to the inherently local aspects of your station licenses, given the popularity of Mr. Kimmel’s show in the market. I urge you to return Mr. Kimmel’s show to KOMO-TV.”
The removal of Jimmy Kimmel Live! from Sinclair's 39 ABC affiliates followed comments by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who threatened Disney/ABC and its affiliates with regulatory action if they did not cancel Kimmel's program. After these remarks, ABC suspended the show but later returned it to air; however, Sinclair maintained its own suspension and set conditions for reinstatement.
Cantwell noted that broadcast licensees have discretion over their programming choices and affiliate agreements with national networks like ABC. She also pointed out that KOMO-TV is one of Seattle's most popular stations and that ratings for Jimmy Kimmel Live! are higher in Seattle than nationally.
“I am concerned that your decision, made on a national level, will negatively impact how millions of viewers in the Puget Sound region access quality, local news and programming. And while viewers may still be able to access Jimmy Kimmel Live! through ABC and Disney’s streaming platforms the next day, this puts content behind a paywall. Local broadcast programming must be available over-the-air to ensure widespread access to local news and information,” Cantwell stated.
On September 24th, Senator Cantwell also sent a letter requesting Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) call FCC Chair Brendan Carr before the committee regarding his threats against ABC affiliates.
Cantwell concluded her letter by urging Sinclair Broadcast Group to consider feedback from their communities and return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to KOMO-TV.
