Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino Inside The Silencing of Jimmy Kimmel: Will His Show Ever Return?
Sep 19, 2025
Jimmy Kimmel's abrupt removal raises eyebrows as FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's threats send shockwaves through ABC. The hosts delve into the implications for free speech and media executives as tensions rise. Meanwhile, David Ellison's bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery stirs anxiety about CNN's direction. As Business Insider embraces AI for journalism, questions loom about accuracy and originality in news reporting. The evolving landscape of media and the impact of ambitious moguls are dissected with insight.
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Regulatory Threats Prompt Instant Corporate Moves
- Brendan Carr's public threat to Disney triggered an immediate corporate reaction that culminated in Jimmy Kimmel being pulled from the air.
- That reaction shows regulatory pressure can quickly force programming decisions at major networks.
Inside Disney's Emergency Meetings
- Oliver Darcy described internal emergency meetings at Disney that included Bob Iger and Dana Walden after Carr's comments.
- Kimmel had prepared a script to address the issue on air but Disney reviewed it and declined to let him run it.
Affiliate Owners Sway Network Decisions
- Nexstar's decision to preempt Kimmel added pressure on Disney because they control many local stations needed for big corporate deals.
- Station owners' business interests can shape network-level editorial and programming choices.