to underline one reason things happened as they did, nexstar, the local station company that was going to drop kimmel, is looking to buy tegna, another local station owner, at which point they would own more than 40% of local tv, which is illegal under FCC rules. they want a waiver.
so the company that wants a waiver for their monopoly made a public fuss about the kirk comments, one presumes so they get special treatment. the better to get their acquisition approved and the limit waived.
kind of like CBS wanted their ownership change signed off on, so they can the guy from 60 minutes and colbert.