The recent controversy surrounding late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has brought attention to the significant influence of local TV station owners on national broadcasters. Two ABC affiliate owners, Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, have spoken out against Kimmel’s comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, highlighting the power dynamics at play in the television industry.
Introduction to Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group
Nexstar Media Group, based in Irving, Texas, operates 28 ABC affiliates and has announced a $6.2-billion deal to buy TEGNA Inc., which owns 64 other TV stations. This acquisition would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to change rules limiting the number of stations a single company can own. Sinclair Broadcast Group, based in Hunt Valley, Md., operates 38 local ABC affiliates and has a reputation for a conservative viewpoint in its broadcasts.
Controversies Surrounding Nexstar and Sinclair
Both companies have been involved in controversies in the past. Sinclair made headlines in 2018 when a video of its news anchors reading identical statements decrying “irresponsible, one-sided news stories” went viral. Nexstar has also been criticized for duplicating news content across its stations. Danilo Yanich, a professor of public policy at the University of Delaware, has noted that Nexstar is the “biggest duplicator” of news content today.
Affiliate Influence on National Broadcasters
The influence of local affiliates on national broadcasters is not a new phenomenon. However, the current situation with Kimmel’s suspension highlights the significant role that companies like Nexstar and Sinclair play in shaping the content that reaches American audiences. Lauren Herold, an editor of the forthcoming book “Local TV,” notes that the web of companies involved in getting Americans their television shows is “relatively unknown” to most viewers, but their influence has been evident for decades.
Implications of Affiliate Influence
The top-down nature of the current controversy, involving powerful voices like Disney CEO Bob Iger and FCC chair Brendan Carr, is concerning to advocates for free discussion and debate on television. Jasmine Bloemhof, a media strategist who has worked with local stations, including ones owned by Sinclair and Nexstar, notes that consolidation has given these companies “enormous influence” and that controversies like the latest involving Kimmel reveal the tension between Hollywood-driven programming and the values of everyday Americans.
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