Sinclair Broadcast Group, a major media company that owns numerous ABC affiliate stations across multiple states, confirmed on Wednesday that it will maintain its refusal to air Jimmy Kimmel Live! until host Jimmy Kimmel issues a formal apology for his remarks regarding the Charlie Kirk assassination.
Kimmel faced a temporary suspension after falsely asserting that the shooter was a “MAGA” supporter, a claim that sparked intense backlash against ABC and the show’s advertisers. Following this, Sinclair and another broadcasting heavyweight, Nexstar, declared they would replace Kimmel’s show with news programming unless a clear retraction was made. Shortly afterward, ABC announced an indefinite suspension of Kimmel’s show.
After days of talks between Kimmel and the network, the host returned to the air Tuesday night. Kimmel tearfully expressed that he did not intend to “celebrate the murder of a young man” and apologized to those who might have misunderstood his comments. However, Sinclair found his statement insufficient, as reported by Fox News.
“Starting Tuesday night, Sinclair will preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! on our ABC affiliate stations and substitute it with news programming. We continue discussions with ABC as we assess the show’s potential return,” Sinclair said in a statement.
Nexstar also confirmed it will join Sinclair in blacking out the show until a proper retraction is issued.
“We decided last week to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! following what ABC described as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ remarks at a critical moment in national dialogue,” a Nexstar spokesperson said. “We uphold this decision until all parties commit to promoting respectful and constructive conversation in the communities we serve. Meanwhile, Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains accessible nationwide via Disney’s streaming platforms, while our stations focus on delivering local news and relevant programming.”
Rachel Bovard of New York Magazine praised the broadcasters for their “spines of steel” in standing by their decision.
With Sinclair owning 39 ABC stations and Nexstar controlling 26, the joint blackout is expected to keep Jimmy Kimmel Live! off more than one in four ABC affiliates nationwide. This action coincides with the two companies’ ongoing $6.2 billion merger review by the Federal Communications Commission, chaired by Brendan Carr, a known Trump ally who has previously criticized Kimmel’s alleged disinformation.
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