Kimmel Says Talarico Interview Will Stream on YouTube, Not Air on ABC

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel said his interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico will be released on YouTube instead of airing on ABC, pointing to pressure from the Federal Communications Commission.

Speaking on Wednesday's broadcast, Kimmel said the FCC had threatened him, his show, the network, its affiliates and local stations over routine editorial choices such as guest bookings. He noted that talk shows have for decades been able to interview political candidates without being bound by equal time rules.

Kimmel also recalled that he had interviewed Donald Trump as a candidate in 2016, and said the situation had changed now that Trump is president.

ABC declined to comment, and the FCC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The dispute follows a January decision by the Republican-led FCC that daytime and late-night talk shows no longer qualify as "bona fide" news programs exempt from equal time requirements, which oblige broadcasters to offer airtime to opposing candidates.

Talarico is running in Texas against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in a contest that could determine control of the U.S. Senate in November.

In April, FCC Chair Brendan Carr ordered early reviews of Disney's eight company-owned ABC stations, even though their license renewals were not due before October 2028. The commission had not ordered such an early review in more than 50 years. The move came a day after Trump urged ABC to fire Kimmel. Disney sued in August to block the reviews, arguing Trump is trying to punish the network over its content.

The FCC is also investigating ABC's daytime talk show "The View" after saying it is subject to equal time rules following a January interview with Talarico. Disney has said the program has not invited political candidates since February, citing the FCC's pressure campaign.

In February, former CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert said network lawyers barred him from airing a Talarico interview on his show; it was posted on YouTube instead, where it has drawn more than 9.5 million views.

Trump has repeatedly called on broadcasters to drop comedy or news programs he dislikes, and has urged the FCC to strip stations of licenses over critical coverage. Stations need FCC licenses to use public airwaves. While revocations are extremely rare, critics say the threat of losing a license can pressure broadcasters and raise concerns about government interference in editorial decisions. Networks have broad First Amendment protections over programming choices.