Why the Nexstar, Sinclair Grandstanding is Just That...

In a move widely interpreted as a political maneuver, broadcast giants Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group have decided to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on their ABC-affiliated stations. However, industry analysts suggest the decision is more of a symbolic nod to the Trump administration than a substantive threat to the late-night show's future.

The reason for the minimal expected impact lies in the geography of television markets. While Nexstar and Sinclair are two of the largest station owners in the country, their ABC affiliates are predominantly located in small to medium-sized markets.

The core strength of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"—and the ABC network itself—is its presence in the nation's largest metropolitan areas through its Owned-and-Operated (O&O) stations. These stations, including WABC in New York, KABC in Los Angeles, and WLS in Chicago, are directly owned by ABC's parent company, Disney. They cover the most populous and influential media markets, which are critical for national ratings and advertising revenue.

Because Kimmel's broadcast remains secure in these major markets, the preemption by Nexstar and Sinclair in smaller areas like Wichita or Dayton will not significantly dent the show's overall viewership numbers or its standing in the late-night landscape.

The move is being seen by critics as an attempt by the station groups to curry favor with the current administration, which has often been a target of Kimmel's political humor. By pulling the show, Nexstar and Sinclair can demonstrate loyalty to the administration, but without causing significant disruption to their relationship with Disney and ABC, as the financial and ratings impact on the network is negligible.

Ultimately, while viewers in dozens of smaller markets may lose their local access to Kimmel's nightly monologue, the show itself is expected to continue its successful run, insulated by the power of ABC's O&O stations in the cities that matter most.