Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night television faces a significant setback as two of ABC’s largest affiliate owners, Sinclair and Nexstar, have announced they will not air his show. The decision follows backlash over Kimmel’s remarks about Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator, which critics deemed “ill-timed and insensitive.”
Sinclair Broadcast Group, operator of 41 ABC-affiliated stations, stated it would preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Tuesday night, replacing the program with news content. A similar move by Nexstar Media Group, which oversees 32 ABC affiliates, was confirmed days later. Both companies cited concerns over the tone of Kimmel’s recent comments and their impact on national discourse.
The affected stations include major markets such as Washington, D.C., Seattle, St. Louis, Portland, Ore., Rochester, N.Y., Columbus, Ohio, Birmingham, Ala., and Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark. Sinclair emphasized ongoing discussions with ABC but reiterated its commitment to prioritizing “respectful, constructive dialogue” in its communities. Nexstar’s statement echoed similar concerns, noting the decision was made pending assurances that future content would align with its values.
Disney had previously reversed its stance, allowing Kimmel to return to ABC after initially withdrawing his show. However, the two largest affiliate groups have opted to bypass the program, leaving many viewers in key regions without access to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Tuesday. The move highlights growing tensions between network programming and local station editorial policies.
