9.24.25
Jimmy Kimmel's return to ABC may have pleased his fans, but it did not entirely pacify Disney shareholders. On Wednesday, a coalition of Disney shareholders sent a letter to the company demanding internal records, including emails and meeting schedules, related to its brief suspension of the late-night host. Disney is the parent company of ABC, where Kimmel's show is aired. Lawyers representing the American Federation of Teachers and Reporters Without Borders asked Disney to disclose how the suspension decision was made, the financial impact assessment, Disney's agreements with affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair, and communications with government officials or political groups. "There is a credible basis to suspect that the Board and executives may have breached their fiduciary duties of loyalty, care, and good faith by placing improper political or affiliate considerations above the best interests of the Company and its stockholders," the lawyers added in the letter addressed to Bob Iger, Disney's CEO.
Disney shares fell about 3.3% between Kimmel's suspension on September 17 and his reinstatement on September 23. Nexstar and Sinclair, both of which own a significant number of local ABC stations, have yet to reveal any plans to air Kimmel's show, though his comeback show on Tuesday night became his most-watched YouTube video of the year and reached 6.26 million viewers. Under state laws of Delaware, where Disney is incorporated, shareholders can request access to corporate books and records to probe potential misconduct, though the scope is usually limited to board-level decisions. The shareholders warned Disney in the letter that they would take the company to court if the documents weren't turned over within five business days.