Here's the question I'd like to ask......was Jimmy Kimmel, as an employee of ABC, representing ABC with what he said?
If the answer was yes, then ABC and Nexstar have a huge problem because all their affiliates licenses can be revoked for not serving the public interest. And yes, as a public broadcaster, they have an obligation to public interest. In addition to that....as public companies, they are beholden to their shareholders. So this one hurts their merger that is already controversial because of potential anti-trust violations...and the potential loss of revenue from losing licenses. Stock price would decline rapidly, shareholders wouldn't be happy.
If the answer was no (and this is the answer)....then they've got to suspend or cancel immediately to maintain their obligation and not lose their affiliates licenses and to keep this merger from basically getting axed since it needs the approval of the FCC commissioner. Revenue doesn't necessarily decrease, stock price doesn't necessarily plummet, shareholders happy.
To me this is a simple business decision. Keep Kimmel, die on the hill with him. Cut Kimmel, keep your revenue from plummeting and ticking off all the shareholders.
Now, Carr knew exactly what his statement on the Benny Johnson show would produce. Did he exert government pressure in an official capacity or did he make a statement on a podcaster's show knowing the reaction he might get.
Kimmel should have been fired. His statement could have cost big businesses a lot of money. Plus his statement was also a flat out lie and in very poor taste given that the country seems about to burst at the seams.
