Kimmel Moves Talarico Interview to YouTube After FCC Threats

Jimmy Kimmel said Wednesday that FCC threats forced his Talarico interview off broadcast TV and onto YouTube. He cited concern for ABC affiliates, particularly those in Texas.

• Kimmel said the FCC threatened him, ABC, affiliates, and local stations over guest bookings.
• 20-plus years of candidate interviews aired without incident, Kimmel said.
• In February, Stephen Colbert moved his own Talarico interview to YouTube under similar pressure.
• Democrats have not won a Texas statewide seat in over 30 years.

Why it matters: The FCC's position is at the center of the dispute. In January, the commission issued guidance saying late-night and daytime talk shows are not exempt from the equal-time rule — reversing a stance held for roughly 20 years.

• Disney and ABC sued the FCC in August, alleging an unconstitutional retaliatory campaign targeting the network's broadcast licenses.
• Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton in polls, giving Democrats a competitive shot at a reliably Republican Senate seat.

How 65 sources split on this story

Where they split: The core dispute is whether the FCC's equal-time guidance is a legitimate legal requirement or government pressure aimed at silencing specific broadcasters.

What’s next: The FCC asked a federal court last week to dismiss Disney's lawsuit.

• ABC and the FCC had not commented on the Talarico situation as of publication.
• Has the FCC sent formal written threats, or are the actions Kimmel describes informal warnings from regulators?
• Will other broadcast networks face similar decisions if they book Talarico before the November election?