Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

pstokely

(10,847 posts)
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:01 PM Sep 18

ABC Faces an Impossible Choice on Kimmel (Bill Carter)

https://latenighter.com/features/abc-faces-an-impossible-choice-on-kimmel/
ABC, of course, realizes that Trump and Carr will make good on the threat, which Carr stated openly and without any regret about his unabashed abuse of power in undermining the Bill of Rights, using terms Tony Soprano would have loved: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”

If ABC decides to stand by Kimmel, the hard way may be financially excruciating. Already the other huge ABC station group, Sinclair Broadcasting, a famously hard-conservative group, leapt to support Carr’s and Trump’s bullying, issuing a statement Wednesday night that it would not carry Kimmel’s show no matter if ABC finds a way to return him to the air.

That would seem to leave ABC little leverage to stave off canceling Kimmel, though that would be widely seen as the most craven capitulation yet to an unjustifiable act of government intimidation.

Like most of the lawsuits Trump has filed against media companies—most recently The New York Times—this move is all about intimidation, not substance.
4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
ABC Faces an Impossible Choice on Kimmel (Bill Carter) (Original Post) pstokely Sep 18 OP
If corporations are people, markodochartaigh Sep 18 #1
There are 250 ABC affiliates. Nexstar owes 33 - Sinclair owns 26 (by my count) underpants Sep 18 #2
Starve them! SheltieLover Sep 18 #4
The Networks are acting like cheap cable channels pwb Sep 18 #3

markodochartaigh

(4,836 posts)
1. If corporations are people,
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:08 PM
Sep 18

why don't we hold them to the same standards that we hold the average 6 year old too? Sometimes doing the correct thing is not doing the easy thing. Corporations shouldn't bow to the government when the government is wrong, they should fight for their autonomous right to employ whom they want.

underpants

(194,405 posts)
2. There are 250 ABC affiliates. Nexstar owes 33 - Sinclair owns 26 (by my count)
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:09 PM
Sep 18

Some of Sinclair’s ABC affiliates are split with NBC Fox My Network and CW. Several combinations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_stations_owned_or_operated_by_Sinclair_Broadcast_Group

pwb

(12,436 posts)
3. The Networks are acting like cheap cable channels
Thu Sep 18, 2025, 01:14 PM
Sep 18

Running scared will cost them. T. V. is already on its way out, this will help that along. IMO.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»ABC Faces an Impossible C...