Nexstar and Sinclair Restore Jimmy Kimmel Live! to Local โคStations After Suspension
WASHINGTON – Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcast Group have announced they willโฃ resume airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! โon their local television stations, ending a weeks-long preemptions sparked by controversy surrounding host Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about the shooting of a Kirk Cameron supporter.
The decision follows aโ suspension of โฃKimmel by ABC โคafter he criticized the response from former President Trump and his supporters to the shooting, accusing them of โฃ”finger-pointing” and attempting to โคdistance the allegedโฃ shooter from โtheir political alignment. FCC Chairman Brendanโค Carr had publicly accusedโ Kimmel of misleading the publicโ and warnedโ Disney and ABC affiliates โคof potential repercussions if โKimmel wasn’t disciplined.Carr later praised Sinclair and Nexstar for initially preempting the show.
Sinclair Vice chairman Jason Smith had previously stated Kimmel’s comments were “inappropriate and deeply insensitive,” and that ABC’s suspension was insufficient. smith also called for โ”immediate regulatory action” from the FCC regarding networkโข control over local broadcasters.
Despite Smith’s earlier statements,โข Sinclair maintained Friday that its decision to restore โคthe show was “self-reliant of any goverment interaction or influence,” asserting broadcasters’ right to independent judgment. The company also stated that ongoing “constructive” discussions with ABC regarding accountability, feedback mechanisms, and the potential appointment of an ombudsman have not yet resulted in adoption of its proposals.
Local television affiliates typically contract with national broadcasters like ABC, payingโค to air their content and โขsharing advertising revenue. matthew Dolgin, โฃa senior equity analyst at Morningstar, noted the importance of the relationship with Disney, stating, “The relationship with Disney is far too โvital for these firms to risk.” He added that Disney could potentially move itsโฃ affiliate agreements elsewhereโ in 2026, a scenario that would be โ”devastating” to Nexstar and Sinclair.
Representatives for ABC declined to comment on the reinstatement.