BREAKING NEWS: Sinclair Broadcast Group Refuses to Air Jimmy Kimmel Live! Across 38 ABC Stations
The battle over Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night television intensified Monday after Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns 38 ABC affiliate stations nationwide, announced it will not broadcast Jimmy Kimmel Live! despite ABC’s decision to reinstate the program.
Sinclair Draws a Line
In a statement released Monday evening, just hours after Disney confirmed Kimmel’s return on September 23, Sinclair made its position clear:
“Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”
The move means that millions of viewers across the U.S., including those in Washington, D.C., will be unable to watch the show on their local ABC stations, further escalating the debate over free speech, corporate responsibility, and political pressure in media.
Fallout From Controversial Monologue
ABC suspended Kimmel, 57, last week following backlash over comments he made about Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder who was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10.
In his September 15 monologue, Kimmel condemned political attempts to reframe the assassination, saying:
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
The remarks drew swift outrage, particularly from conservatives who accused Kimmel of mocking Kirk’s death and further inflaming political divisions.
Disney’s Defense of Kimmel
Earlier Monday, Disney issued a statement explaining why the suspension was lifted after nearly a week.
“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” Disney said. “We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”
An ABC spokesperson had previously said Kimmel’s show would be “preempted indefinitely,” but Disney emphasized that the pause was temporary and meant to allow tensions to cool.
Sinclair’s Demands
Sinclair, however, has insisted that Kimmel’s return comes too soon and has tied his reinstatement to a set of conditions.
The broadcaster previously demanded that Kimmel:
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Publicly apologize to Charlie Kirk’s family.
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Make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk family and to Turning Point USA, the conservative nonprofit Kirk co-founded.
Without these steps, Sinclair argued, airing the show would disrespect Kirk’s legacy and alienate viewers.
Hollywood Pushes Back
The controversy has ignited a firestorm in Hollywood. On Monday, the ACLU released an open letter signed by more than 400 celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and Selena Gomez.
The letter condemned what signatories called government intimidation of media companies:
“We the people must never accept government threats to our freedom of speech. Efforts by leaders to pressure artists, journalists and companies with retaliation for their speech strike at the heart of what it means to live in a free country.”
It concluded:
“Regardless of our political affiliation, or whether we engage in politics or not, we all love our country. We also share the belief that our voices should never be silenced by those in power — because if it happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.”
Letterman and Eisner Weigh In
The controversy has even drawn reactions from media veterans. Former Late Show host David Letterman called the suspension “ridiculous,” while former Disney CEO Michael Eisner blasted the company’s leadership, asking, “Where has all the leadership gone?” Both men argued that bowing to political pressure sets a dangerous precedent.
What Happens Next
With Sinclair refusing to air Kimmel’s show on 38 stations, including major markets, ABC faces the challenge of reaching viewers through digital platforms like Hulu and Rumble, where the show streams directly.
Meanwhile, the public remains divided. Supporters praise Sinclair for standing firm with Kirk’s family, while critics warn the move undermines free speech and emboldens political interference in media.
For now, one thing is certain: Jimmy Kimmel’s return will be anything but quiet.
Key Takeaways
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Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns to ABC on September 23.
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Sinclair Broadcast Group refuses to air the show on its 38 ABC affiliates.
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Sinclair demands a public apology and donation to Charlie Kirk’s family.
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Hollywood celebrities rally behind Kimmel in an ACLU-backed letter.
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The controversy has sparked nationwide debate over free speech, media independence, and political pressure.
