Media News Daily: Top Stories for 02/27/2026

FCC Received More Complaints Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension Than Charlie Kirk Remarks

ABC’s temporary suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” generated approximately 1,645 complaints to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with most criticizing FCC Chair Brendan Carr and the agency rather than Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. While roughly 30 early complaints accused Kimmel of politicizing and misrepresenting Kirk’s death, the majority argued the FCC’s response amounted to censorship and a violation of First Amendment protections after Carr warned broadcasters of possible consequences, and President Trump praised ABC’s decision. Read More (The Hill Rating)

YouTube Leads Nielsen Distributor Rankings for 11th Straight Month

YouTube maintained its top position in Nielsen’s Media Distributor Gauge for January 2026, marking its 11th consecutive month leading all media companies with a 12.5% share of total TV viewing, up from 10.8% a year earlier. Walt Disney followed at 11.9%, while Paramount (8.2%), Fox Corp. (7.4%), and Warner Bros. Discovery (5.5%) posted declines; NBCUniversal was the only major traditional media company to gain, reaching an 8.5% combined share with its Versant spinoff, driven largely by NFL coverage and Peacock programming. Read More (MediaPost Rating)

Meta Files Lawsuits Targeting Celeb-Bait Scam Networks

Meta announced new legal actions against international scam groups accused of running “celeb-bait” schemes using deepfakes and fake endorsements from public figures to promote fraudulent healthcare products and investment scams. The lawsuits target Brazil-based individuals and companies, a China-based technology firm, and a Vietnam-based cloaking operation, as part of broader enforcement efforts that Meta says have contributed to a 50% decline in scam ads over the past 15 months. Read More (Social Media Today Rating)