Some fans hoping to tune in to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday night may be facing an unexpected obstacle. A contract dispute between DirecTV and one of the nation's largest local television station owners is creating problems.
As of Sunday evening, dozens of stations owned by Scripps Local Media disappeared from DirecTV's lineup after the two companies failed to reach terms on a new carriage agreement. The affected stations span markets across the country, including major cities such as Detroit, Denver, Phoenix, Miami, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Las Vegas, and Tampa.
For many subscribers, the most immediate consequence may be losing access to their local ABC station. That means viewers who normally watch Jimmy Kimmel Live! through DirecTV could be shut out of the late-night talk show until the companies settle their differences.
Kimmel is no stranger to seeing his show taken off the air. Last year, it came as broadcasters sought to punish the late-night TV host for his comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. A dispute between ABC and YouTube TV last October also forced the show to go dark for some customers.
Carriage battles have become a familiar part of the television business. Broadcasters seek compensation from cable and satellite providers for the right to distribute their signals, while distributors push back against fee increases that could ultimately be passed on to customers.
DirecTV argued that the broadcaster's financial demands were unreasonable and would contribute to higher costs for subscribers. Scripps, meanwhile, said it had negotiated fairly throughout the process and accused the satellite provider of removing stations rather than continuing to work toward a compromise.
The broadcaster also emphasized how unusual the situation is, noting that its stations have rarely been involved in prolonged distribution disputes during the company's decades-long history.
The timing is unfortunate for late-night television fans. Jimmy Kimmel Live! is entering another week of fresh episodes. And with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert closing up shop last week, there's a political comedy void at 11:35 p.m. that only Kimmel can really fill with his brand of humor.
Affected customers are also losing access to local news broadcasts, syndicated programming and network entertainment carried by their ABC affiliates. If the standoff continues, viewers could miss additional high-profile programming in the days ahead, including the NHL and NBA finals.
For now, fans hoping to watch Kimmel through their local ABC station are left waiting for a resolution. Until DirecTV and Scripps find common ground, some viewers may need to seek out alternative ways to keep up with one of television's most popular late-night hosts.
Add us as a preferred source on Google