The Ankler Podcast Kimmelgate: 6 Days That Shook Disney
Sep 25, 2025
Richard Rushfield, an entertainment insider and founder of The Ankler, and Sean McNulty, a media business analyst, delve deep into the six days that turned Disney and late-night TV upside down. They discuss Jimmy Kimmel's controversial return and the implications for free speech amid FCC threats. The duo analyzes political pressures from figures like Trump and their impact on affiliate deals. They explore Disney's internal decision-making and how these events might reshape talent relationships and Kimmel's future at ABC.
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Disney's U-Turn And Lingering Fallout
- Disney briefly pulled Jimmy Kimmel after an FCC chair's veiled threat, sparking protests and cancellations.
- The company reversed course and reinstated Kimmel, but political and affiliate fallout continues.
Rushfield Watched Kimmel's Comeback On YouTube
- Richard Rushfield watched Kimmel's return on YouTube and praised his mix of respect and humor.
- He noted it was the first late-night monologue he'd watched in decades and called it well handled.
How Networks Can Respond To Affiliate Blackouts
- Affiliates risk breaching contracts if they continue blacking out network programming without legal cover.
- Networks can consider moving shows to alternate local channels to blunt affiliate boycotts and recover ad revenue.