Sinclair's Refusal To Air Jimmy Kimmel Shows Why The Fight For Freedom Must Rage On

One of the largest owners of TV stations in this country is the pro-Trump, Sinclair Broadcasting Group. They’re throwing a fit and refusing to air Jimmy Kimmel, but they're on a short leash.

One of the largest owners of TV stations in this country is the pro-Trump, conservative Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned local news stations, and they’re throwing a fit and refusing to air Jimmy Kimmel.

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“Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return,” the pro-Trump affiliate Sinclair declared.

But it’s likely they can’t keep doing this.

“Nerdy but true: A network affiliate like Sinclair can pre-empt a network show a limited number of times (depends on the contract), but then is in breach of its affiliate agreement and faces penalties or cancellation. So Sinclair is likely on a short leash here,” Paul Farhi, media writer seen in the Atlantic, Athletic, WashPost, etc., explained.

Please note that when Sinclair say they will replace it with “news” what they mean is they will use their documented propensity for using its extensive network of local stations to advance a conservative agenda and leveraging its control over local news. This isn’t just an opinion. An example of this is in 2018, when a viral Deadspin video showed anchors at dozens of Sinclair-owned stations reading identical, company-mandated scripts.

Additionally, a 2019 Emory University and Stanford University study found that Sinclair reduced local political coverage, increased national news, and shifted their ideological tone in a conservative direction when they acquired a station. Almost like it was a mission.

In 2024, the Guardian reported that Sinclair stations were promoting misleading narratives, such as connecting rising crime rates to immigration despite studies showing no correlation.

Sinclair has found itself on the wrong end of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as well, so it’s hardly objective here. In 2020, the FCC levied a record $48 million fine on Sinclair for deceptive conduct during its failed 2018 attempt to acquire Tribune Media.

And yes, critics have said that regulatory changes made during the first Trump administration appeared to benefit the pro-Trump Sinclair.

The best ways to boycott Sinclair specifically are to not watch its local news stations and owned networks, divest any stock holdings, boycott its advertisers and write to tell them why, and support alternative media (like us!).

Trump is trying to remake the media in his image, even going so far as to claim it should be illegal not to give him positive coverage.