Sinclair, Nexstar: 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' can come back on our stations
Share and Follow


() Sinclair Broadcast Group announced Thursday it will end its preemption of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and resume airing the ABC late-night show on its affiliates, citing “troubling acts of violence” and feedback from viewers and community leaders.

After Sinclair’s announcement, Nexstar Media Group, which owns and several ABC affiliates, also ended the show’s preemption following discussions with Walt Disney Company executives.

Sinclair, the nation’s largest ABC affiliate group, had been blocking the show since ABC resumed production Tuesday following a week-long suspension over what Disney called “ill-timed and insensitive” comments by Kimmel regarding the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

“Over the last week, we have received thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders representing a wide range of perspectives,” Sinclair said in a statement. “We have also witnessed troubling acts of violence, including the despicable incident of a shooting at an ABC affiliate station in Sacramento.”

Sinclair said its decision to restore the show was independent of government influence and emphasized broadcasters’ free speech rights to exercise editorial judgment.

“Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations,” the company said in a press release. “While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content.”

Sinclair said it proposed accountability measures to ABC during discussions, including a network-wide independent ombudsman, but acknowledged Disney has not adopted those suggestions.

Nexstar said it appreciated Disney’s “constructive approach to addressing our concerns.” In a statement, Nexstar emphasized its commitment to airing “fact-based and unbiased” content while serving as “stewards of the public airwaves.”

What did Jimmy Kimmel say?

FCC Chair Brendan Carr had urged local broadcasters to stop airing the show on ABC. Carr said that Kimmel’s suggestion that Kirk’s killer was MAGA-aligned would be “really, really sick” and that ABC, as a broadcast license-holder, needs to keep the public interest in mind.

During his show on Monday night, Kimmel said the country “hit some new lows over the weekend,” when the “MAGA gang desperately tried to characterize this kid who killed Kirk as anything other than one of them.”

The 57-year-old comedian, who has had a late-night show on ABC since 2003, accused Republicans of trying to “score political points” from Kirk’s death.

Kimmel then criticized President Trump after airing a video of the president taking a question about Kirk’s death. In the clip, Trump abruptly changes the subject to talk about a planned White House ballroom. Kimmel joked Trump was mourning Charlie Kirk “the way a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish.”

Kirk, a 31-year-old Trump ally, was killed last week during an appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, as he debated students with different political views. After a 33-hour manhunt, authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson for the attack, which Utah Gov. Spencer Cox characterized as a political assassination.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Britain announces sweeping asylum policy shift to cut protections for refugees

UK Unveils Major Changes to Asylum Policies, Impacting Refugee Protections

Great Britain is set to implement significant alterations to its asylum policies,…
Donald Trump pardons Jan. 6 defendant, Daniel Edwin, for separate gun offense, releasing him from prison

Trump Pardons Jan. 6 Defendant Daniel Edwin for Unrelated Gun Charge, Securing His Release from Prison

WASHINGTON — In a notable move, President Donald Trump has granted a…
Grey's Anatomy star reveals cancer battle as character suffers same

Grey’s Anatomy Star’s Real-Life Cancer Battle Mirrors On-Screen Drama

Fans of “Grey’s Anatomy” experienced an emotional moment during the recent midseason…
A simple math sum has left people puzzled... can you solve it?

A Basic Math Problem Baffles the Internet – Can You Crack It?

A seemingly straightforward math puzzle has taken the internet by storm, revealing…
11-year-old killed in road rage shooting on the way to school, police say

Tragic Road Rage Incident Claims Life of 11-Year-Old En Route to School: Police Investigate

An 11-year-old boy tragically lost his life in Nevada while on his…
Michael J. Fox, Kate Bosworth, Nikki Glaser and more

Michael J. Fox, Kate Bosworth, and Nikki Glaser Among Notable Personalities Making Waves

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research hosted its yearly fundraising…
Kenny Easley, Pro Football Hall of Fame safety, dead at 66

Legendary NFL Safety and Hall of Famer Kenny Easley Passes Away at 66

Renowned Seahawks icon and esteemed Pro Football Hall of Famer Kenny Easley…
Democrat congresswoman received texts from Epstein during hearing

Democratic Congresswoman Receives Texts from Epstein During Congressional Hearing

Newly surfaced documents reveal that Democratic Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett was texting convicted…