Jimmy Kimmel's recent return to ABC was significantly impacted when major affiliates Sinclair and Nexstar opted not to air his show, citing concerns over his content and potential repercussions from FCC chair Brendan Carr. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between local television stations and network owners, particularly as the landscape shifts towards streaming. The FCC retains the power to influence broadcast licenses, which has led to fears of censorship among networks. Experts suggest that Disney, which owns ABC, might benefit from bypassing traditional affiliates altogether by streaming its content directly. This could alleviate the pressures from affiliates that are increasingly at odds with network interests. The situation raises broader questions about the sustainability of the current broadcast model and the future of local news coverage.