Burlington's WVNY Affiliate Could Still Broadcast Jimmy Kimmel Live—But It Won't
Under an operating agreement with Nexstar Media—which ordered Kimmel's preemption—the ultimate decision rests with Mission Broadcasting, which owns the FCC license.
BURLINGTON, VT – Viewers in the Champlain Valley hoping to watch "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" tonight on the local ABC affiliate, WVNY, will find other programming in its place. The decision stems from a directive by Nexstar Media Group, the company that operates the station, to preempt the show.
However, the situation highlights the complex ownership and operational structures of local television, as the ultimate power to air the program rests with the station's owner and FCC licensee, Mission Broadcasting.
Nexstar's Preemption Announcement
Nexstar Media Group, which operates hundreds of television stations across the country, announced it would continue to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its affiliated ABC stations. In a press release issued today, September 23, 2025, the company stood by its initial decision made last week.
"We made a decision last week to preempt 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel's 'ill-timed and insensitive' comments at a critical time in our national discourse," the company stated. "We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve," according to the Nexstar press release.
The preemption is a response to controversial comments made by host Jimmy Kimmel following the recent death of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk. While ABC, the network, has reinstated the show, major affiliate groups, including Nexstar, have chosen not to air it.
The Local Connection: WVNY's Ownership and Operation
For local viewers, this national controversy directly impacts the late-night schedule on WVNY (ABC22). While the station is operated by Nexstar under a local marketing agreement (LMA), it is not owned by them. The station's license, and therefore its ultimate legal responsibility, is held by Mission Broadcasting.
According to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, the licensee has the final say and control over the programming that airs on its station. This means that, in principle, Mission Broadcasting could choose to defy the recommendation of its operator, Nexstar, and air "Jimmy Kimmel Live!".
The Practical Reality
Despite the legal distinction, the operating agreements between companies like Mission Broadcasting and Nexstar typically mean that programming decisions made by the operator are carried out across all managed stations. There has been no public statement from Mission Broadcasting to indicate that they will break from Nexstar's decision regarding the preemption. Therefore, viewers should expect WVNY to follow the course of action laid out by Nexstar.
Tonight, and for the foreseeable future, the 11:35 p.m. time slot on WVNY will be filled with alternative programming as the station, under Nexstar's operational control and with the implicit agreement of its owner Mission Broadcasting, continues to keep "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" off the air in the Burlington-Plattsburgh market.