Sinclair CEO criticizes blackouts and carriage disputes | JQJO

Sinclair Broadcast Group CEO Chris Ripley used a Wednesday earnings call to condemn the ABC blackout affecting about 10 million YouTube TV subscribers, saying local broadcasters have no say over whether their paid-for content reaches viewers. He argued the standoff violates the Communications Act’s intent and may raise antitrust concerns, noting that recurring carriage fee battles and resulting blackouts harm local audiences and the ecosystem of local journalism. Ripley steered clear of discussing the September Jimmy Kimmel Live suspension he helped shepherd.