ABC announces Kimmel’s return
Jimmy Kimmel’s planned return to late-night television has hit a major roadblock after Sinclair Broadcasting Group confirmed it would continue blocking his show from its ABC affiliate stations.
ABC and Disney announced on Monday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would resume airing on Tuesday evening following a week-long suspension, but Sinclair doubled down on its refusal to broadcast the programme.
The controversy erupted after Kimmel, 57, delivered a monologue about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, sparking outrage among right-wing figures and political allies of Donald Trump.
During the segment, Kimmel suggested the “MAGA gang” was exploiting the killing for political gain, comments that ABC initially described as “ill-timed” and “insensitive.”
Backlash and suspension
The remarks prompted ABC to suspend the show indefinitely, a move that generated widespread backlash, including an open letter signed by more than 400 celebrities defending the comedian.
Former US president Donald Trump seized on the controversy, claiming Kimmel had been “fired for lack of talent.”
Last week, ABC said the decision to pause production was made “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.”
In a joint statement with Disney, the broadcaster added that “thoughtful conversations” had since taken place with Kimmel, leading to the decision to reinstate the programme.
Sinclair doubles down
However, Sinclair, which owns or operates 38 ABC affiliates across the United States, said it would continue preempting the late-night slot with news programming.
“Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming,” the company said.
The broadcaster, which has longstanding ties to Trump and conservative politics, said discussions with ABC were ongoing but insisted the show would not return until “appropriate steps” were taken.
Jason Smith, Sinclair’s vice chairman, accused Kimmel of making “inappropriate and deeply insensitive” remarks at a critical moment.
“Broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities,” Smith said.
Demands for apology
The company also called on Kimmel to issue a direct apology to Kirk’s family and to make a “meaningful personal donation” to both the Kirk family and Turning Point USA, the group Kirk founded.
Kirk, a close Trump ally and vocal commentator on issues such as gun control and transgender rights, was fatally shot while speaking to students in Utah earlier this month.
In his monologue, Kimmel accused Trump supporters of attempting to shift the narrative around the killing, sarcastically remarking on how “hard the President is taking this.”
The comedian had also shared condolences on social media before the broadcast, writing that his family sent “love to the Kirks and all victims of senseless gun violence.”
Affiliate impact and political backdrop
Despite this, Sinclair said the show would not return to its stations until it was confident of “upholding the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”
Among the affiliates affected is WJLA in Washington, D.C., meaning viewers in the nation’s capital will be unable to watch the show for now.
On Friday, Sinclair’s ABC affiliates aired a special tribute to Kirk during Kimmel’s timeslot.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of Sinclair’s political influence. In 2016, The Guardian reported that company executives told Trump: “We are here to deliver your message,” while controlling broadcasts that reached nearly 70% of US households.
The standoff leaves Kimmel’s late-night future uncertain, even as ABC and Disney push ahead with plans for his show’s return.
