Media News Daily: Top Stories for 09/28/2025

Sinclair and Nexstar Restore ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Broadcasts After Viewer and Advertiser Pushback

Sinclair Broadcast Group announced it is reversing its preemption of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC affiliates, despite receiving none of the concessions it requested from ABC or Disney, including the appointment of an ombudsman. Sinclair cited viewer and advertiser feedback as key to its decision. The preemption came after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned that airing Kimmel’s controversial monologue could affect station licenses. Nexstar, which also pulled the show and is currently pursuing a $6.2 billion merger with Tegna, similarly reinstated Kimmel after “constructive discussions” with Disney. Together, Sinclair and Nexstar represent 66 ABC affiliates. Read More (Ars Technica Rating)

Meta’s Llama AI Models Now in Use by U.S. Military and Allied Nations

Meta has expanded the deployment of its Llama AI models for national security purposes, confirming their availability to the U.S. military and Five Eyes allies (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K.), as well as other international partners. Llama is currently being used in projects involving decision-making support, operational planning, and logistics, including a pilot with the Army’s Combined Arms Support Command. Meta also has a defense contract with Anduril to develop XR tools for enhanced military perception. This effort aligns with the U.S. government’s broader AI Action Plan, which aims to solidify federal oversight of AI use and data handling. Read More (MediaPost Rating)

Study Reveals Severe Underfunding and Staffing Gaps in LGBTQ+ Media

The LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project released a report revealing that nearly half of LGBTQ+ media outlets operate on annual budgets under $100,000, with many staffed by minimal or no full-time employees. Of 105 state/local and 69 national outlets, many are financially reliant on advertising, which has sharply declined. Eighteen U.S. states were found to have no discernible LGBTQ+ media presence. The study highlighted significant representation gaps—especially for trans, gender-nonconforming, and BIPOC communities. Despite funding challenges, there is growing openness to collaboration among outlets and potential for innovation in digital and print formats. Read More (MediaPost Rating)