ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is set to return to Sinclair Broadcasting and Nexstar Media Group stations starting tonight, as announced by the companies on Friday. This decision comes after both broadcasters initially refused to air the show following Disney’s lifting of a week-long suspension over remarks made by the late-night host in a monologue about the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The return of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will bring the show back to local TV on Nexstar’s ABC affiliates in 28 cities, along with 38 stations under Sinclair. Sinclair emphasized in a press release on Friday that their aim was to ensure accurate and engaging programming for a wide audience, emphasizing their decision was not influenced by the government but rather rooted in upholding free speech values.
Shortly after Sinclair’s announcement, Nexstar also confirmed the show’s reinstatement, citing their commitment to fostering free speech and acknowledging constructive discussions with Walt Disney Company executives to address concerns. Prior to ABC’s suspension of Kimmel’s show, both Sinclair and Nexstar had preempted its airing on their respective stations. Sinclair had criticized Kimmel’s comments and demanded formal discussions with ABC before lifting the suspension.
Amidst the controversy, FCC Chair Brendan Carr had warned of potential penalties for local broadcasters airing Kimmel’s show, stressing the need for action. Collectively, Sinclair and Nexstar represent a significant portion of all affiliates.
Kimmel made his return to TV on Tuesday night, addressing the controversy and defending free speech rights. He clarified his intentions regarding Kirk’s comments, expressing remorse and emphasizing his message of compassion for the activist’s family.
Despite being off-air on major networks, Kimmel’s return episode garnered 6.26 million viewers, with his opening monologue on YouTube amassing over 21.9 million views. Opinions on Kimmel’s suspension have been polarized, with support from some late-night hosts and concerns raised about the implications for free speech. Notably, some viewers boycotted Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, while political figures on both sides shared differing views on the matter.
As the dialogue continues, Kimmel’s Tuesday monologue drew mixed reactions, with calls for further apologies from some quarters. The controversy surrounding Kimmel’s remarks has sparked a national conversation on free speech and media ethics.