Democratic Rep tells ABC, CBS to 'grow a spine' after Kimmel announces alternative Talarico interview, tell me about this news in (https://www.foxnews.com/media/democratic-rep-tells-abc-cbs-grow-spine-after-kimmel-announces-alternative-talarico-interview)

This news report centers on California Democratic Representative Ted Lieu strongly criticizing broadcast television networksspecifically ABC and CBSafter late-night host Jimmy Kimmel opted to release an interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico online rather than airing it on standard broadcast television. MediaiteKey points of the story include:• The Kimmel Decision: Jimmy Kimmel announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that his scheduled interview with James Talarico (a Texas Democratic state representative running for U.S. Senate) would be posted to YouTube instead of being broadcast on television. Kimmel indicated the decision was made out of concern over Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulatory threats and “equal time rule” implications, particularly to shield local ABC affiliate stations in Texas from potential regulatory backlash. Mediaite+ 1• Ted Lieu’s Reaction: Rep. Ted Lieu sharply criticized ABC and other major networks, accusing them of “bending the knee” and engaging in “self-censorship”. On social media, Lieu told ABC, CBS, and television networks to “grow a spine” and air interviews with elected officials, asserting that the networks would prevail in court against any administration legal challenges. Mediaite+ 1• The Equal Time Counter-Argument: Lieu also argued that if equal-time rules were genuinely a concern, networks should invite Talarico’s Republican opponent, Ken Paxton, onto the late-night programs to face tough questioning about his scandals rather than preemptively pulling Democratic candidates from the airwaves. Mediaite• Broader Context: The controversy mirrors an earlier incident where Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show on CBS similarly relegated a conversation with Talarico to YouTube following concerns over FCC equal time rules and regulatory scrutiny. Democratic lawmakers and critics framed these moves as corporate capitulation, while network affiliates cited regulatory caution surrounding political broadcast guidelines. Mediaite+ 1