Sinclair Refusing To Air 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Despite Return To Network
By BIN
September 23, 2025
Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns the largest number of ABC affiliate stations in the U.S., is refusing to air Jimmy Kimmel Live! despite Disney's plans to bring back the late-night show.
On Monday (September 22), Sinclair announced that it will preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! and replace it with news programming following Disney's announcement that it will reinstate the late-night show beginning on Tuesday (September 23), per the New York Post.
“Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming,” the company posted on X.
“Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return,” it added.
ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel's show from the air last week following his controversial comments about conservative figure Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot earlier this month while speaking at Utah Valley University. The suspension followed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatening federal action against affiliates airing the show.
Following widespread backlash and protests against Disney and ABC, Kimmel reportedly negotiated his return with Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden. He is expected to address the controversy during his return on Tuesday night.
Disney called the suspension a measure taken to “avoid further inflaming a tense situation,” labeling Kimmel’s remarks as “ill-timed and thus insensitive.”
Sinclair had previously called on Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family and to make a donation to Turning Point USA, the conservative nonprofit co-founded by Kirk.
“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” Sinclair vice chairman Jason Smith said in a statement following the suspension.
It remains unclear if Nexstar Media Group, which owns 32 ABC affiliates, will also keep Kimmel’s show off the air. Sinclair and Nexstar reach roughly 25 percent of ABC households. Sinclair also owns WJLA-TV, ABC’s flagship affiliate in Washington, D.C., giving the move significant political visibility.
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