ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! will once again be broadcast on Sinclair Broadcasting and Nexstar Media Group stations starting tonight. Earlier this week, both broadcasters had refrained from airing the show following a suspension by Disney, ABC’s parent company, due to remarks made by host Jimmy Kimmel in a monologue concerning the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! will see the show back on Nexstar’s ABC affiliates in 28 cities and on the 38 Sinclair stations that agreed to reinstate the program. Sinclair emphasized in a press release on Friday that their decision to resume airing the show was driven by the goal of providing accurate and engaging programming for a broad audience, asserting that the move was not influenced by external forces and was aligned with principles of free speech.
Shortly after Sinclair’s announcement, Nexstar also confirmed the reinstatement of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on their stations, underlining their commitment to free speech and expressing appreciation for Disney’s collaborative approach in addressing their concerns.
Prior to the suspension imposed by ABC, both Sinclair and Nexstar had preempted the show on their stations. Sinclair, in particular, had criticized Kimmel’s comments and had insisted on formal discussions with ABC before lifting the suspension. This occurred in the context of a warning from U.S. Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr, who cautioned local broadcasters about potential penalties or license revocation for airing the show.
Despite the temporary absence of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on these major networks, the show’s return on Tuesday attracted a significant viewership, with 6.26 million viewers tuning in according to Disney and ABC Entertainment. Kimmel’s opening monologue from that night also garnered over 21.9 million views on YouTube by Friday afternoon.
The suspension of Kimmel’s show has sparked varied public reactions, with some late-night hosts voicing support for him and concerns over the implications for free speech. This controversy led to cancellations of Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions by some viewers, as well as calls for a boycott by a few celebrities. While there has been support for Kimmel’s free speech rights from figures across the political spectrum, some have criticized the host for his comments, emphasizing the need for a more substantial apology.
Overall, the reinstatement of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Sinclair and Nexstar stations marks a significant development in this ongoing debate surrounding free speech and the responsibilities of broadcasters.