Part 8/13:
Initially, Disney, which owns ABC, announced that they would bring Kimmel back, but subsequent pressure and the refusal of station owners caused delays. Disney eventually relented after facing backlash from celebrities and the public, leading to Kimmel’s show being slated to return to the airwaves—although some affiliates remain hesitant or refuse to air the program.
The Market and Ideological Dilemmas
The host posits that this situation exemplifies a new, more market-driven model of content control. Station owners, particularly those outside coastal elites, are asserting their right to choose which programming aligns with their audience’s values. This decentralization allows for ideological diversity and resistance to corporate or Hollywood-centric narratives.