Sacking Jimmy Kimmel Was a Bad Idea — and ABC Woos the Comedian Back

The decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show has put a spotlight on Nexstar Media, the largest TV station owner and operator in the US, and its founder Perry Sook, who has largely avoided the limelight during nearly four decades as chairman, Forbes reported.

But Nexstar’s move to cancel Kimmel’s show sparked uproar and calls for a boycott of Disney and Nexstar. (Photo: Jimmy Kimmel Live Facebook) 

Sook, who received roughly $35 million in compensation as Nexstar’s chief executive in 2024, told investors in an earnings call shortly after Election Day that he hoped a second Trump administration would help the firm expand further.

But Nexstar’s move to cancel Kimmel’s show sparked uproar and calls for a boycott of Disney and Nexstar.

ABC has since entered negotiations with Kimmel to stem the boycott and repair its reputation, which critics say was tarnished by caving to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Fraser’s demand to fire the Trump critic and late-night host.

Kimmel is set to return to the airwaves — but not before releasing another show, co-hosted with friends, that takes fresh aim at Trump.