The Sinclair Broadcast Group has announced it will resume airing ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on its ABC stations. This decision comes after a one-week blackout of the popular late-night show, which was initiated following controversial remarks made by host Jimmy Kimmel.
Sinclair, a major owner of local ABC affiliates across the United States, had initially decided to stop broadcasting Kimmel’s show. This move was reportedly influenced by a confluence of factors, including feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders. The broadcast giant stated that discussions with ABC and its parent company, Disney, are ongoing and productive, with Sinclair having proposed measures aimed at fostering greater accountability within Disney.
Kimmel returned to the airwaves on Tuesday after a brief suspension by ABC, acknowledging that his previous comments might have been poorly timed. In his opening monologue, he expressed, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.”
With this decision, viewers in cities such as Washington, DC, St. Louis, and Seattle will once again have access to Kimmel’s show. The initial controversy stemmed from Kimmel’s remarks on September 15th regarding the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. He questioned the motivations of those characterizing Kirk’s murder and suggested political point-scoring, even comparing reactions to a “four-year-old mourning a goldfish.”
This situation also drew attention from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who suggested revoking ABC’s broadcast license. Following Carr’s comments, Sinclair and Nexstar Media Group announced their decision to cease airing the show on their respective affiliates, prompting ABC to pull the program entirely for a period. The controversy sparked broader discussions about free speech, leading to online campaigns such as boycotts of Disney+ subscriptions.
Despite the initial pull, Disney confirmed Kimmel’s return on Monday. However, Sinclair and Nexstar initially held firm on their decision not to air the show. Kimmel’s first episode back garnered significant viewership, with 6.26 million people tuning in, even with a quarter of ABC stations not broadcasting the program. Kimmel used the opportunity to express regret for his joke while also criticizing Trump and Carr for what he termed “mob” censorship tactics, calling such actions “un-American” and “dangerous.” President Trump publicly voiced his disappointment with Kimmel’s reinstatement.