‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Still Benched By Nexstar, But Station Owner Cites “Productive Discussions” With Disney Execs

Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains sidelined on Nexstar Media Group‘s ABC stations, but the company says it has been having “productive discussions” with Disney execs toward a resolution.

“Nexstar is continuing to evaluate the status of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on our ABC-affiliated local television stations, and the show will be preempted while we do so,” Nexstar said in a statement. “We are engaged in productive discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company, with a focus on ensuring the program reflects and respects the diverse interests of the communities we serve.”

Another major station group, Sinclair, also decided to pre-empt the show and remains in talks with ABC and Disney.

Kimmel returned Tuesday night after his show was suspended by Disney. The media giant said a joke Kimmel made on the September 17 show about Donald Trump supporters reacting to the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk were “ill-timed.”

Before Disney’s suspension, Sinclair and Nexstar pulled Kimmel. The large station groups, which control roughly 20% of ABC stations across the U.S., have business before the FCC. Nexstar is seeking approval for a $6.2 billion deal to acquire rival Tegna, which would blow past the current limit on how many stations a single owner can control. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr kicked the controversy into high gear last week by directly threatening to sanction Disney over the matter.