Breaking: Sinclair Affiliates Refuse to Air Kimmel Even After ABC and Disney Reinstatement

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In a dramatic twist for late-night television, Sinclair Broadcast Group has announced it will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC affiliate stations, despite ABC and Disney’s decision to lift the show’s suspension following recent controversy.

The suspension, which began on Wednesday, came after host Jimmy Kimmel made remarks on his program alleging that a Trump supporter had assassinated conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and claiming that conservatives were exploiting the tragedy for political gain. During the September 15 broadcast, Kimmel 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.”

Following the backlash, Kimmel’s show was pulled from the air indefinitely. On Monday, ABC announced that the program would return to broadcast the following day, citing a reassessment of the situation. “It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive,” the network said in a statement. “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.”

Despite ABC’s reinstatement, Sinclair — which operates over 30 ABC affiliate stations, the largest number in the nation — opted to continue preempting the show. “Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming,” the media group said on X. “Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”

The move underscores the tensions between national network decisions and local affiliate discretion, illustrating how broadcast groups can exercise independent judgment when controversy arises. As the situation develops, it remains unclear whether Kimmel’s program will regain its full national reach or continue to face resistance from key affiliates.

Last week, Sinclair Broadcast Group issued a statement urging Jimmy Kimmel to apologize to Charlie Kirk’s family for his controversial remarks. “Furthermore, we ask Mr. Kimmel to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA,” the media company added.

“Regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the program, Sinclair intends not to return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to our air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform,” the statement continued.

Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith emphasized that strong measures were necessary in response to Kimmel’s monologue. “Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” Smith said. “We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities.”

As context, Kimmel’s career has included multiple controversial moments, including instances of offensive sexual and racial content, highlighting the broader scrutiny his work has often faced.

In a widely criticized segment, Jimmy Kimmel appeared in blackface and used exaggerated speech patterns while mocking former NBA star Karl Malone, drawing significant backlash for the portrayal.

Kimmel also faced criticism for a segment in which he imitated Oprah Winfrey in blackface, making jokes about her weight, further fueling accusations of racially and culturally insensitive content.

Critics have also noted that, despite earning an estimated $15 million annually to host Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel has faced scrutiny for promoting misleading information and making politically charged commentary.

According to Nielsen ratings, the show averaged approximately 1.1 million viewers in August 2025. By comparison, several conservative podcasters routinely attract audiences exceeding that number on a daily basis, highlighting the growing influence of alternative media platforms relative to traditional late-night programming.

In summary, critics argue that Jimmy Kimmel’s continued presence on late-night television is increasingly difficult to justify—not merely because of his controversial views, but because the show struggles to attract a substantial audience, with ratings steadily declining over time.

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