[UPDATE] Kimmel moves James Talarico interview from ABC to YouTube, citing FCC threats
Kimmel said his interview with U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico (D-TX) will skip ABC for YouTube-only, citing FCC threats over bookings, the second late-night pull since February. White House spokesman Davis Ingle denies any threat, calling it play-acting.
PREVIOUSLY
On Aug. 19 Disney sued to block an early FCC review of ABC licenses as retaliation, saying pressure had already changed ABC's broadcasts. On Sep. 8 Chair Carr put broadcast polls on the FCC agenda with no definition or timeline, saying licenses impose rules cable and online escape.
- Stephen Colbert's CBS interview with Talarico was also kept off broadcast TV in February 2026.
- Kimmel said he has booked candidates for more than 20 years without similar trouble.
- Kimmel said the YouTube-only move spares Texas ABC affiliates from dealing with the dispute.