FCC Chairman Carr Defends Jimmy Kimmel Remarks to Congress (1)

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr defended statements he made about Jimmy Kimmel in September, remarks that spurred broadcasters to black out the late-night host’s show.

In testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday, Carr said ABC, Nexstar Media Group Inc. and Sinclair Inc. decided “on their own” to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air following the comedian’s remarks about the assassination of Republican activist Charlie Kirk. He rejected suggestions that he directly pressured the broadcasters to act.

“That never happened,” Carr said.

Brendan Carr speaks during a Senate Commerce oversight hearing in Washington, DC, on Dec. 17.

Photographer: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg

In a Sept. 15 monologue, Kimmel said Republicans had tried to capitalize on the ...