Jimmy Kimmel is back, but not everyone is ready to tune in. The late-night host’s quick return after his suspension has sparked a fresh storm, and this time it’s not only about his words. Two of the biggest media companies in the country have announced that they won’t air his show.
Kimmel was pulled off the air last week after his controversial remarks following Charlie Kirk’s death. Disney, the parent company of ABC, admitted, “It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. 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.”
The decision may relieve some fans, but it’s already creating another headache for the network.
Affiliates Push Back Over Kimmel
Nexstar and Sinclair, which together control roughly a quarter of ABC’s affiliates, have decided to boycott Kimmel’s show. Both companies say they want assurances about “fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue.” Until then, their stations won’t carry the late-night program.
That means viewers in several big markets, including Nashville, Salt Lake City, and New Orleans, didn’t see Kimmel’s return. The move cuts into a significant chunk of ABC’s footprint, even as the rest of the network prepares to air the show as scheduled before midnight ET.
Disney framed last week’s suspension as an attempt to avoid “further inflaming a tense situation.” The company stressed that it had spoken directly with Kimmel before clearing him to return. But the affiliates’ pushback shows how complicated the fallout remains.
The controversy has already stretched far beyond corporate boardrooms. Public figures have jumped into the matter, and the debate has only grown louder. In fact, Danica Patrick’s explosive Instagram rant on Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC comeback shows just how charged the issue has become.
For now, ABC will move forward with Kimmel on most of its stations. But losing two major affiliate groups, even for a night, sends a clear signal. The host may be back on air, but the issue over his words is still there.
