Jimmy Kimmel’s Big Return Crumbles As Affiliates Rebel

Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to late night, but not everyone will see him.

Disney announced that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will be back on Tuesday, but nearly 40 ABC stations owned by Sinclair Inc. have refused to air it.

The late-night host, suspended last week after controversial comments about Charlie Kirk’s death, is now caught in a bigger fight. While Disney is bringing him back, affiliates are rebelling, raising new questions about his future.

Disney says Jimmy Kimmel is returning, but Sinclair Inc. isn’t backing down.

The broadcaster owns dozens of ABC affiliates across the country and confirmed it will not air the show.

Instead, those stations will replace it with local news. In their statement, Sinclair explained in a statement per the Daily Mail, “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.”

This means viewers in almost 40 major markets won’t see the comedian’s comeback.

Sinclair’s biggest station, WJLA in Washington, D.C., makes the decision even more powerful, as it cuts off access for politicians, journalists, and even Donald Trump himself.

Sinclair made it clear that the suspension will not be lifted until “formal discussions” are held with ABC about the network’s “professionalism and accountability,” setting the stage for a long standoff.

As The Blast reported, Jimmy Kimmel’s problems began with his comments last Monday about Kirk’s killing.

On his show, the 57-year-old 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.”

He then showed a clip of Trump and made jokes about his mourning process, which many saw as disrespectful.

Just two days later, FCC commissioner Brendan Carr called the remarks “insensitive at a critical moment for our country.”

He also suggested that a direct apology was the “minimal step” needed to move forward.

Soon after, more than a dozen ABC affiliates told Disney they would not air the show until action was taken.

The backlash prompted Disney and ABC executives to suspend Kimmel’s show indefinitely, in an effort to calm the situation.

After a tense week, Disney announced on September 22 that Kimmel would return the following day.

In a statement per The Blast, the company explained, “Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country. 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 network admitted the “Smurfs” star’s words were “ill-timed and insensitive” but gave no details about whether he will issue an apology.

The decision was made by top executives, including Dana Walden and Bob Iger, who had also approved his earlier suspension.

Kimmel’s comeback has sparked reactions across the political world.

Conservatives voiced anger, saying the suspension was too short. Megyn Kelly wrote, “Must be nice to be a leftist. ‘Cancellation’ lasts 5 nights and you’re right back under klieg lights. On the right you’re underground.”

Conservative commentator Matt Walsh added that liberals exaggerate free speech issues while ignoring serious consequences faced by conservatives.

Also, CNN’s Scott Jennings said Disney suspended Kimmel only because he was “an insensitive pr*ck,” and argued that it wasn’t an attack on free speech.

Liberals, however, praised the decision. Congressman Zohran Mamdani called it “a victory for free speech,” saying Disney had found its backbone.

California Governor Gavin Newsom also praised the move, thanking “everyone but @BrendanCarrFCC.”

Journalist Billy Binion noted that Carr’s actions may have backfired, writing, “Brendan Carr turned Jimmy Kimmel into a martyr. His ratings were sinking. Now a lot of people are talking about & rooting for a comic whom they previously did not care about at all.”

Even with Disney bringing Jimmy Kimmel back, Sinclair has made its stance clear. The broadcaster is demanding more than just talks.

In a statement, Vice Chairman Jason Smith explained, “Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country. We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities.”

Sinclair has called for a direct apology to Kirk’s family and a personal donation to Turning Point USA, the conservative group Kirk founded.

Without those steps, Sinclair insists Jimmy Kimmel Live! will remain off their airwaves.