Nexstar , the nation’s largest station owner, denied on Thursday that it pulled “ Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air due to pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr .

The company announced the decision hours after Carr threatened to take action against ABC affiliates over Kimmel’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s killer. Carr also urged affiliates to preempt the show.

Asked whether Nexstar’s decision was in any way influenced by Carr’s remarks, Gary Weitman, the company’s chief communications officer, said “No.”

“The decision to preempt ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ was made unilaterally by the senior executive team at Nexstar, and they had no communication with the FCC or any government agency prior to making that decision,” Weitman said.

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