Kimmel Return: Nexstar, Sinclair Alternatives for Viewers

Summary of the⁣ Article: Jimmy kimmel &⁤ Sinclair Broadcast Group Dispute

This article details the ongoing dispute between Jimmy Kimmel and Sinclair Broadcast Group, and the impact ⁢of Sinclair’s decision to blackout jimmy Kimmel⁣ Live! on its stations. Hear’s a breakdown of ‍the key points:

* The Dispute: Sinclair initially suspended airing jimmy Kimmel Live! following kimmel’s monologue criticizing conservative ⁣figures. They demanded meetings with ABC/Disney regarding ‍”professionalism ‍and accountability” before reinstating the show.
* Sinclair Backs ⁢Down (Partially): Sinclair has now⁢ agreed to air the show again, but⁣ only after ABC/Disney meet certain demands, including an⁢ autonomous network-wide ombudsman. ‍ABC/Disney have not accepted these proposals.
* Kimmel’s Successful Return: Despite the blackouts, Kimmel’s return episode achieved ⁤record-high ratings – the ⁣highest in over a decade for a regularly scheduled episode. His monologue went viral on YouTube, garnering over 21 million views.
* Impact of Blackouts: Sixty-six ABC affiliate stations ⁤blacked out Kimmel’s‍ return, costing them potential ⁣viewership and market share.
* Digital Platforms Benefit: Experts argue the blackouts backfired on ⁣Sinclair, driving viewers to digital platforms like YouTube where the content spread rapidly and⁢ reached a wider audience. Viewers easily found the show on digital cable or YouTube if it wasn’t aired locally.
* Broader Implications: The situation highlights the changing media landscape and questions the role of conventional broadcast media in fulfilling the “public interest,⁤ necessity and convenience” in an age of readily available digital content.

In essence, the article suggests that Sinclair’s attempt to censor Kimmel⁣ ultimately⁣ proved ineffective and may have even increased his reach and popularity⁣ through the power of digital distribution.