The Town with Matthew Belloni Jimmy Kimmel vs. the FCC: Can Disney Escape This Mess?
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Sep 18, 2025 Bill Carter, a veteran media journalist and late-night TV expert, joins to unravel the wild controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel's suspension from his show. They dive into the FCC's surprising leverage over broadcast licenses and discuss the motivations behind affiliate groups siding with the FCC. Carter reveals Disney's tough position—balancing economic impacts and political pressures—while contemplating Kimmel's next steps. Should he apologize, fight back, or find a middle ground? Tune in for an engaging analysis of comedy's intersection with regulation and corporate strategy.
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FCC Leverage Became A Political Weapon
- Brendan Carr used FCC authority as leverage to pressure Disney after Kimmel's monologue.
- Disney executives panicked because Carr framed it as a regulatory threat tied to ABC licenses.
Unprecedented Use Of Licensing To Police Speech
- Bill Carter argues the FCC's move is unprecedented use of licensing power to bully speech critics.
- He says content-based restrictions from the FCC would be unconstitutional and novel in practice.
Affiliates' Merger Incentives Shaped Their Response
- Station groups like Nexstar have big pending mergers that require FCC approval, creating incentives to appease regulators.
- That economic dependency explains why affiliates moved quickly to pull Kimmel off their schedules.