Jimmy Kimmel
Charlie KirkDisneyEntertainmentMediaPolitics

Sinclair Broadcast Group Doubles Down, Refuses to Air ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Despite Disney’s Green Light

RNN Staff

The Sinclair Broadcast Group announced Monday that it will not resume airing Jimmy Kimmel Live on its nearly 40 ABC affiliate stations, despite Disney’s earlier decision to return the controversial late-night show to air on Tuesday. Sinclair’s move comes amid continued backlash over Kimmel’s inflammatory remarks following the assassination of conservative icon Charlie Kirk.

“Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming,” the company said in a statement. “Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”

Disney Greenlights Return, But Affiliates Push Back

Disney had announced earlier in the day that Jimmy Kimmel Live would return to air, stating that the decision to suspend the show last week was made to avoid “further inflaming a tense situation.” A spokesperson said Disney had since had “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel and determined it was appropriate for the show to resume.

But Sinclair — along with Nexstar, another major affiliate group — isn’t backing down.

Together, Sinclair and Nexstar control nearly 80 ABC stations across the country. Their refusal to air the program marks a rare public break from the network’s parent company, driven in part by the firestorm surrounding Kimmel’s comments last week.

The Controversial Comments

Kimmel found himself in hot water after he suggested that Tyler Robinson — the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk — was somehow associated with the MAGA movement, despite evidence pointing to the opposite.

“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,” Kimmel said during his show. “And doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

Federal investigators have since confirmed that Robinson’s motivations were rooted in far-left ideology and personal animus toward Kirk’s political beliefs.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr condemned Kimmel’s remarks as “reckless,” and affiliate stations began pulling the show almost immediately. Many viewers — especially in conservative regions — praised the affiliates for taking action, accusing Kimmel of slander and divisiveness at a time of national mourning.

Political Fallout and Media Turmoil

The decision by Sinclair to keep Jimmy Kimmel Live off its airwaves is already sending shockwaves through Hollywood and Washington. Several other late-night hosts — including Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Bill Maher — defended Kimmel, claiming the suspension violated free speech.

Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner also criticized the initial removal of the show, while some in the industry speculated that Disney may have used the controversy as cover for slipping ratings.

Whether or not Jimmy Kimmel Live returns to Sinclair or Nexstar affiliates remains to be seen, but for now, nearly half of America will not be seeing the comedian’s return to the late-night desk.

Ad Blocker Detected!

Refresh