Nexstar Media Group has joined forces with Sinclair Broadcast Group to bring back Jimmy Kimmel Live! to local television stations across the United States. This move comes after a brief, intense blackout that left many viewers in various cities without access to the popular late-night talk show. The program had been suspended due to controversial remarks made by Kimmel following the tragic death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
As of Friday night, Jimmy Kimmel Live! is set to air on Nexstar’s ABC affiliates in 28 cities, in addition to the 38 stations operated by Sinclair that have decided to restore the show. This includes a wide range of local markets from Seattle to Washington, D.C. The suspension occurred on September 17, when Disney-owned ABC halted the show following threats of repercussions from the Trump-appointed head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
At the time of the suspension, Sinclair publicly condemned Kimmel, demanding that he apologize to Kirk’s family and make a personal donation to Turning Point USA, the nonprofit organization founded by Kirk. On the day Kirk was killed, Kimmel had expressed support for Kirk’s family and all victims of gun violence, which he reiterated upon his return to ABC. He referred to the killing as a “senseless murder” before being taken off the air.
While Kimmel did not issue an apology during his first show back, he clarified that it was never his intent to trivialize the murder of a young man. He acknowledged that to some, his comments might have seemed “ill-timed or unclear.” During his emotional return, Kimmel emphasized the importance of free speech while using humor to convey his message.
The blackout had significant implications, affecting viewers in cities representing approximately a quarter of ABC’s local TV affiliates. This incident sparked a nationwide discussion about First Amendment protections, particularly as the Trump administration and other conservatives scrutinized speech in the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination. Critics of Sinclair and Nexstar accused them of censoring content, raising concerns about political influence in the media landscape.
In the lead-up to Kimmel’s suspension, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr criticized the comedian for allegedly misleading the public regarding the circumstances of Kirk’s death. Carr warned that local affiliates could face repercussions if the comedian was not disciplined. Following the suspension, he praised Sinclair and Nexstar for their decisions to preempt the show.
Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith referred to Kimmel’s comments as “inappropriate and deeply insensitive,” arguing that ABC's suspension of the show was insufficient. He also suggested that immediate regulatory action was necessary to address the control exerted over local broadcasters by major national networks.
Despite the controversy, Sinclair maintained that its decision to preempt Kimmel’s show was made independently of any government influence. In a statement, the company underscored its responsibility as local broadcasters to provide programming that aligns with the interests of their communities while fulfilling their obligations to air national network content.
Matthew Dolgin, a senior equity analyst at Morningstar, noted that Sinclair's decision was not unexpected, emphasizing the critical nature of its relationship with Disney. The ramifications of any fallout between the two companies could potentially lead to severe consequences for both Nexstar and Sinclair.
As discussions between Sinclair and ABC continue, the future of their partnership remains uncertain. The ongoing dialogue focuses on enhancing accountability and feedback mechanisms, with proposals to appoint an ombudsman still under consideration.
