Jimmy Kimmel will return to ABC stations nationwide across the United States, following a brief hiatus due to controversy surrounding his comments about Charlie Kirk’s tragic incident.
TV station group Nexstar has announced it will once again air “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on its 32 ABC affiliates starting Friday night. This decision comes after Nexstar had previously pulled the show from its lineup due to the backlash following Kimmel’s remarks. Earlier on the same day, Sinclair Broadcasting also stated it would reinstate Kimmel on its 38 ABC stations, signaling a similar reversal.
The abrupt changes by both station groups mark the end of a brief protest that commenced last week after Kimmel’s statements on Monday, September 15. ABC had initially suspended the show on September 17, only to bring it back this past Tuesday, where it received record ratings despite the Sinclair-Nexstar blackout.
Sources indicate that Disney made no editorial concessions to either Sinclair or Nexstar while resolving the disputes. A representative from Disney opted not to comment on the situation when approached.
The return of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” across all U.S. markets is being hailed as a win for Disney and ABC, especially after they faced significant criticism for supposedly bowing to political pressure from the Trump administration regarding Kimmel’s suspension. The company encountered protests and threats of boycotts, including a potential backlash against its streaming platform Disney+, and received stern criticisms from Hollywood guilds and other organizations for not standing firm on First Amendment issues.
Nexstar released a statement acknowledging their productive discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company. They emphasized their ongoing commitment to the First Amendment and their dedication to presenting local and national news that accurately reflects the interests of the communities they serve. “We are distinct from cable giants, homogenized streaming platforms, and large national networks, as we uphold our responsibility to act as guardians of public airwaves,” said Nexstar’s representatives.
Nexstar further clarified, “Our adherence to these principles has guided our judgments during this period, devoid of any external pressures from government entities or individuals.”
The uproar surrounding Kimmel escalated after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened to lodge “news distortion” complaints against ABC stations unless Kimmel faced repercussions. On September 17, he ominously stated on a conservative podcast, “Broadcasters can either take the easy route or face more work from the FCC.”
It was widely perceived that Nexstar’s initial decision to blackout Kimmel was a strategic move to curry favor with Carr, given their ongoing business dealings that require FCC approval. In August, they announced a $6.2 billion deal to acquire Tegna, which hinges on regulatory consent. Both Nexstar and Sinclair assert that their decisions were independently motivated and not influenced by government pressure.
In their reinstatement announcement, Disney clarified that the show was initially paused to “de-escalate a charged situation during a highly sensitive time for our nation.” They acknowledged feelings that Kimmel’s comments were poorly timed and sensitive, adding, “Following extensive discussions with Jimmy, we collectively decided to resume airing the show on Tuesday, September 23.”
Nexstar, based in Irving, Texas, manages 32 ABC-affiliated stations, with 23 owned outright and nine under joint operating agreements. Notable stations include KTVX in Salt Lake City, WGNO in New Orleans, WTEN in Albany, NY, and WTNH in Hartford-New Haven, CT, among others.
Previously, on September 17, Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, expressed, “Kimmel’s remarks regarding Mr. Kirk’s death are offensive and unthoughtful at a crucial moment in our nation’s political discussion. Broadcasting his show does not reflect the beliefs or values of the communities we serve and we feel it necessary to take a stand to allow cooler heads to prevail and promote constructive dialogue.”
— Brian Steinberg contributed to this article.
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