What's Inside?
- Jimmy Kimmel returns to ABC’s late-night show after Disney suspension, but Sinclair continues preempting episodes on multiple affiliate stations.
- Hollywood peers and SAG-AFTRA rally behind Kimmel, defending his free speech rights and criticizing Disney’s initial decision to suspend him.
- The controversy raises debate over broadcast standards, corporate influence, and local stations’ power to preempt nationally aired programs.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is officially set to return Tuesday, Sept. 22, but viewers in some markets may still miss the show. Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns multiple ABC affiliates, has confirmed it will continue to preempt the program, replacing it with news coverage. The move comes after a heated controversy surrounding Kimmel’s recent comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Jimmy Kimmel Controversy and Sinclair’s Stance
Jimmy Kimmel, the late-night host, was suspended on Sept. 17 following remarks many deemed “ill-timed and insensitive.” Disney temporarily halted production to prevent further escalation during an emotionally charged period in the country. “We made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” a Disney spokesperson said.
BREAKING: Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to the air Tuesday night on ABC, The Walt Disney Company said.
Read more: https://t.co/6xX3Yj7z5s pic.twitter.com/9CrvPcdQQE
— ABC News (@ABC) September 22, 2025
Sinclair’s reaction was swift and firm. The company called Kimmel’s comments “inappropriate” and “deeply insensitive,” demanding that he issue a direct apology to the Kirk family, make a personal donation, and support Kirk’s nonprofit, Turning Point USA. Sinclair’s press release stressed that the program would not return to air on its stations until the company was “confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”
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. pic.twitter.com/beGC6VID2x
— Sinclair, Inc. (@WeAreSinclair) September 22, 2025
Despite Disney’s decision to reinstate the show, Sinclair has indicated that it may continue to preempt episodes on its ABC affiliates, which span 30 U.S. markets including Washington D.C., Seattle, St. Louis, and Portland. Nexstar Media Group, another affiliate that initially pulled the show, has not yet confirmed its plans.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Return and Hollywood Support
Negotiations with Walt Disney Co. executives, including CEO Bob Iger and Dana Walden, led to the decision to bring Jimmy Kimmel Live! back on air. Sources confirmed that Kimmel will address the controversy during his monologue but will not apologize for his mistaken claim linking Kirk’s alleged killer to the “MAGA gang.” His contract with ABC runs through May 2026, with an annual salary reportedly between $15 and $16 million, potentially exceeding $20 million with bonuses.
Kimmel received widespread support from Hollywood peers and organized labor. Fellow late-night hosts, including Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers, publicly defended him. SAG-AFTRA, representing actors, dancers, and performers, called Disney’s initial suspension “retaliation for speech on matters of public concern” and urged the company to reinstate the program. SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin stated, “Media companies have the right to make choices about their programming, but performers have the right to be treated justly and not to be silenced for expressing their views.”
In addition, more than 400 artists, including Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Selena Gomez, Pedro Pascal, and Meryl Streep, signed an open letter organized by the American Civil Liberties Union defending Kimmel’s free speech rights. Howard Stern also criticized the suspension, describing it as “outrageous” and canceled his Disney+ subscription in protest.
As Jimmy Kimmel returns to late-night television, the controversy highlights the tension between corporate responsibility, free speech, and the influence of local station groups. While Kimmel resumes his role on ABC, Sinclair’s decision underscores the ongoing debate over editorial control and the limits of acceptable commentary on national television.
