Major Broadcasters Refuse to Air Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2025

Nexstar and Sinclair will not resume broadcasting the late-night talk show on their ABC affiliates after its return to the network's lineup.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:44pm

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An abstract macro photograph of shattered glass and glittering shards, capturing the tension and fragmentation in the entertainment industry.The fallout from Jimmy Kimmel's controversial comments exposes deep divisions in the entertainment landscape.Los Angeles Today

Two major U.S. broadcast station owners, Nexstar Media and Sinclair Broadcasting, have announced they will not resume airing 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on their ABC affiliate stations when the show returns to the ABC network lineup on September 22, 2025. The companies, which own over 25% of ABC's nationwide affiliates, cited ongoing discussions with ABC as they evaluate the show's potential return.

Why it matters

The decision by Nexstar and Sinclair to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live comes after the show was temporarily suspended by ABC in 2025 over comments made by host Jimmy Kimmel about the assassination of a conservative activist. The move raises questions about the role of the FCC in approving transactions involving the broadcast companies and potential concerns over censorship and the influence of political ideology on programming decisions.

The details

Nexstar, which owns 23 ABC affiliates and has 9 partner ABC stations, and Sinclair, which owns 38 ABC affiliates, both announced they will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live when it returns to the ABC network lineup on September 22, 2025. The companies cited ongoing discussions with ABC as they evaluate the show's potential return, but did not provide a timeline for when they may resume broadcasting the program. The decision follows ABC's temporary suspension of the show in September 2025 over comments made by host Jimmy Kimmel about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

  • ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live on September 17, 2025 over Kimmel's comments about the assassination of a conservative activist.
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live is scheduled to return to the ABC network lineup on September 22, 2025.

The players

Nexstar Media

A major U.S. broadcast station owner that owns 23 ABC affiliates and has 9 partner ABC stations. Nexstar needs FCC approval for a $6.2 billion merger with Tegna.

Sinclair Broadcasting

A major U.S. broadcast station owner that owns 38 ABC affiliates. Sinclair has faced criticism from Democrats over its political influence.

Jimmy Kimmel

The host of the late-night talk show 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' that was temporarily suspended by ABC in 2025 over comments he made about the assassination of a conservative activist.

Brendan Carr

The Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) who warned local broadcasters that they could face fines or lose their licenses if they aired Jimmy Kimmel Live after its suspension.

Elizabeth Warren

A Democratic U.S. Senator who criticized the decision by Nexstar and Sinclair to stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live, calling it 'censorship' that 'reeks of corruption'.

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What they’re saying

“This censorship of Kimmel reeks of corruption.”

— Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator

“Carr's comments are 'dangerous as hell'.”

— Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator

What’s next

Discussions between ABC, Nexstar, and Sinclair are ongoing as they evaluate the potential return of Jimmy Kimmel Live to the broadcast lineup.

The takeaway

The decision by Nexstar and Sinclair to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live highlights the complex interplay between media companies, regulatory oversight, and political ideology, raising concerns about censorship and the influence of corporate interests on programming decisions.