Nexstar and Sinclair Refuse to Air Jimmy Kimmel’s Return to ABC Following Controversy Over Charlie Kirk Comments
The fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s recent remarks about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has intensified, with two of the largest owners of ABC affiliate stations announcing they will not broadcast the comedian’s late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, despite Disney’s move to reinstate him.
On Tuesday, Nexstar Media Group issued a formal statement declaring that it would preempt Kimmel’s program across its ABC stations. This decision came just 24 hours after Sinclair Broadcast Group, the largest operator of ABC affiliates, announced a similar measure. Together, Nexstar and Sinclair represent dozens of local ABC stations across the United States, meaning the late-night host’s long-awaited return to the airwaves is being severely undercut.
The controversy began after Kimmel suggested on-air that Kirk had been murdered by a supporter of former President Donald Trump. Prosecutors, however, later confirmed that the suspect in custody, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, did not have ties to the MAGA movement and instead held left-leaning political views.
The Nexstar Statement
In its statement, Nexstar explained its reasoning behind keeping Kimmel off the air.
“We made a decision last week to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ comments at a critical time in our national discourse,” the company said. “We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”
By framing the move as an attempt to preserve “respectful dialogue,” Nexstar signaled that it is unwilling to reintroduce Kimmel until ABC, Disney, and Kimmel himself offer greater clarity on how they plan to address concerns from both viewers and affiliates.
Sinclair’s Position
A day earlier, Sinclair had already announced its decision, saying on social media:
“Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming.”
This marks a rare moment of agreement between two of the largest media companies in the United States, and it puts Disney in a particularly awkward position. While the entertainment giant has reinstated Kimmel, the refusal by station owners to air his program threatens to cut off much of his distribution and audience reach.
Inside Disney’s Dilemma
Disney, which owns ABC, suspended Kimmel indefinitely last week following the uproar over his remarks. Executives described his comments as “ill-timed and insensitive” given the heightened national tensions surrounding Kirk’s assassination and the ongoing political blame game that has followed.
After days of private meetings, Disney decided to restore the show. In a statement, the company emphasized that the suspension was not permanent and that thoughtful conversations had taken place with Kimmel.
“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,” Disney said.
Despite this, the company now faces mounting pressure as two of its most important broadcast partners have chosen not to cooperate.
Growing Concern From Kimmel’s Staff
Behind the scenes, staffers on Jimmy Kimmel Live! are growing increasingly anxious about the future of the show. According to a report by Rick Ellis in his “Too Much TV” newsletter, one staff member, speaking anonymously, expressed deep concern.
“I want to think it will [return fully]. But I can’t imagine a scenario in which that happens. Even if Jimmy was willing to publicly apologize and donate money to whatever ghoulish conservative group that is demanding it… MAGA people will never be happy. It will never be enough.”
The staffer went on to suggest that Disney could eventually decide to buy out the remainder of Kimmel’s contract rather than continue defending him:
“Disney will look at the situation and decide it’s cheaper to buy out the rest of his contract and replace the show with reruns of Modern Family and Judge Judy. Somehow, they’ll convince themselves the worst is behind them. Until a day or two pass, and they find themselves having to defend Whoopi and the other women of The View. And no one wants to be in that position.”
These remarks reflect a sense of fatalism within Kimmel’s circle, as they grapple with the possibility that the host may never fully recover his platform.
The FCC Weighs In
The controversy has even caught the attention of federal regulators. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated on conservative podcaster Benny Johnson’s show that he is considering whether Kimmel’s remarks warrant an investigation.
“When you look at the conduct that has taken place by Jimmy Kimmel, it appears to be some of the sickest conduct possible,” Carr said. “As you’ve indicated, there are avenues here for the FCC, so there are some ways in which I need to be a little bit careful because we could be called ultimately to be a judge on some of these claims that come up.”
Carr’s comments underscore how Kimmel’s situation has ballooned beyond entertainment news and into the broader arena of political and regulatory debate.
Kimmel’s Controversial Remarks
The original flashpoint came during Kimmel’s September 15 monologue, when he said:
“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.”
The statement, later shown to be factually inaccurate, was widely criticized as irresponsible, given the sensitivity of Kirk’s death and the charged political climate. Critics accused Kimmel of spreading misinformation and inflaming division.
Disney’s Balancing Act
Disney co-chair Dana Walden reportedly informed Kimmel that his show would be suspended after he refused to issue an apology or retract his comments. According to insiders, Kimmel was unwilling to “kowtow” to the MAGA movement by offering concessions, even as calls for accountability grew louder.
This left Disney in a precarious position: attempting to balance its commitment to free expression with the need to maintain trust among affiliates, regulators, and the viewing public.
What Comes Next
The combined refusal by Nexstar and Sinclair is a devastating blow to the reach of Jimmy Kimmel Live! With both companies controlling dozens of ABC affiliates nationwide, Kimmel risks being sidelined from the very platform that built his late-night career.
Meanwhile, Disney must now determine whether it can salvage the show’s reputation and viability, or whether a more permanent solution—possibly cancelation or contract buyout—will ultimately prove necessary.
The controversy also raises broader questions about the role of late-night comedy in an era of heightened political polarization. Can hosts like Kimmel continue to mix satire with political commentary without crossing lines that alienate vast swathes of the audience? And will network executives tolerate such risks in a fragile media landscape?
Conclusion
The dispute over Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about Charlie Kirk has spiraled into a high-stakes battle involving Disney, two of America’s largest broadcast station groups, federal regulators, and the culture war at large. What began as an ill-timed joke has now become a flashpoint in debates over media accountability, political polarization, and corporate responsibility.
For now, the late-night host’s return remains in limbo. Nexstar and Sinclair’s refusal to air his show represents more than just a programming dispute—it is a sign of how deeply divided America’s media and political environment has become. Whether Kimmel manages to return to full strength, or becomes the latest casualty of an unforgiving cultural landscape, remains to be seen.
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