Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to late-night television on ABC after a weeklong suspension of his show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” triggered by controversial comments he made in a monologue. However, a significant number of ABC affiliates have refused to air his program, citing the remarks as “insensitive” and offensive, deepening the divide within the media landscape.

The controversy began on September 9, 2025, when Kimmel commented on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Addressing the incident on his show, Kimmel accused many Trump supporters, the so-called “MAGA gang,” of trying “to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything possible to gain political advantage from it.” This assertion ignited backlash from conservative groups, viewers, and some affiliates, who deemed Kimmel’s remarks poorly timed and insensitive during an emotionally charged national moment.

Following intense pressure, including FCC chairman Brendan Carr’s warning of possible regulatory action and threats to ABC’s affiliate licenses, ABC suspended Kimmel’s show indefinitely last week. ABC’s parent company, The Walt Disney Company, explained the suspension was to “avoid further inflaming a tense situation.” After several days of internal discussions with Kimmel, Disney reversed the suspension, announcing the show’s return on Tuesday, September 23.

Despite ABC’s decision to reinstate the show, two major ABC affiliate groups—Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, collectively controlling about 25% of ABC affiliates—declared they would continue to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Nexstar stated it would keep the show off pending “assurances that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue.” Sinclair, which operates key ABC stations including the Washington D.C. market, called Kimmel’s comments “offensive, inappropriate and insensitive” and linked the suspension to demands for Kimmel to make a personal donation to the Kirk family and the conservative group Turning Point USA.

Sinclair’s spokesperson emphasized, “We will not resume airing ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ until the host issues an apology for his remarks.” Nexstar’s stance remains firm, indicating continued disruption of Kimmel’s show availability on many local channels even as it returns via ABC’s streaming platforms.

The controversy has had significant real-world consequences, including public cancellations of Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, presumably in protest of Disney’s initial decision to suspend Kimmel’s show, reflecting the challenges media companies face balancing free speech, audience sensitivities, and business interests. Media analysts suggest that financial pressures influenced ABC’s reinstatement decision amid the fallout.

Kimmel himself remained unapologetic, characterizing criticism as a distorted reaction by MAGA supporters, stating he was defending free speech and journalistic commentary rather than issuing an apology.

Industry experts note this episode highlights broader tensions in American media over political polarization, corporate influence on expression, and the evolving role of late-night television in political discourse.

In summary, while “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will return to ABC’s lineup, a fragmented airing status persists due to affiliate refusals rooted in objections to Kimmel’s controversial commentary. Viewers in many markets may still face preemptions, watching the show only via streaming. The ongoing standoff signals potential further debates on content, accountability, and the balance between free speech and community standards in broadcast media.

Next steps will likely involve ongoing negotiations between ABC, its affiliates, and Kimmel to potentially resolve the airing impasse, while the public and industry watch closely how networks handle politically sensitive content amid an increasingly divided cultural climate. This incident underscores the fragility of broadcast partnerships and the impact of amplified political tensions on entertainment and media distribution.