When “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was set to resume on ABC after a temporary suspension, many viewers assumed the show was back everywhere.

But one major media conglomerate had other plans.

Sinclair Broadcast Group has refused to air Kimmel’s show on its ABC affiliate stations, triggering a new battle over speech, accountability, and control in late-night TV.

What Actually Happened: Suspension, Return, Rejection

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show was pulled off the air on September 17, 2025, after a monologue in which Kimmel criticized conservative figures for their criticism of the response to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The remarks stirred political backlash, including from the FCC chair Brendan Carr, prompting ABC (owned by Disney) to indefinitely suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! amid calls for accountability and demands from large affiliate owners.

By September 22, Disney announced that the show would return to air on Tuesday, September 23, after what they described as “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel.

The suspension was lifted.

But the return was not universal.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns dozens of ABC affiliate stations—including in major markets—declared it will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its local ABC stations.

Sinclair demanded that before airing the show again, Kimmel should issue a direct apology to the Kirk family, make a meaningful personal donation to the family and to Turning Point USA (an organization associated with Charlie Kirk), and engage in “formal discussions with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.

” Until those conditions are met, Sinclair will replace the show in the timeslot with news programming or special tributes.

Why Sinclair’s Decision Matters

Sinclair is one of the largest ABC affiliate station owners in the U.S.

Preempting Kimmel across its network means a significant portion of viewers will not see the show, even though it is officially back on the air.

This move underscores the tension between national networks (like ABC/Disney) and large local/affiliate station groups over content control.

Affiliates often have discretion over whether to carry network programming, especially late night shows, under certain terms.

Sinclair’s demands reflect a kind of leverage: “Carry the show, but only if you satisfy our conditions.

” This raises questions about editorial independence, censorship, and free speech.

The Requirements: Apology, Donation, Accountability

Here are the conditions Sinclair has laid out for Kimmel’s re-broadcast on its ABC stations:

A formal apology from Kimmel to the family of Charlie Kirk.

A personal donation to the Kirk family and Turning Point USA.

Discussions with ABC about network professionalism and accountability.

Sinclair’s vice-chairman has made public statements calling Kimmel’s original monologue “inappropriate” and “deeply insensitive at a critical moment.

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Free Speech vs.

Broadcast Responsibility

A large portion of the controversy revolves around the boundaries of free speech, especially by comedians and late-night hosts.

Some defend Kimmel’s right to critique political figures and express views, even if controversial.

The concern is whether broadcaster pressure threatens to chill speech or lead to over-censorship.

Over 400 celebrities signed a letter defending Kimmel’s right to free expression through the ACLU.

On the flip side, Sinclair and others argue that broadcasters have obligations to their audiences and community values.

They contend that with great platform reach comes responsibility, especially for statements that may inflame political tensions.

Viewer Impact: Who Gains and Who Loses

For viewers in Sinclair affiliate markets, this means Jimmy Kimmel Live! isn’t returning anytime soon unless the demands are met.

Even though ABC/Disney is reinstating the show nationally, those local stations will broadcast alternate content—either news specials or tributes to Charlie Kirk.

People tuning in via streaming, ABC’s owned-and-operated stations, or non-Sinclair ABC affiliates will still see the show as usual once it returns.

So audience access is fractured, depending on geography and which local station you depend on.

How Sinclair’s Move Fits Into Larger Patterns

Sinclair’s actions are not occurring in a vacuum.

Over the past few years, media consolidation, political polarization, and FCC regulatory pressure have combined to make content disputes more visible.

Affiliates pushing back against a network is increasingly common, especially when programming is politically charged.

Sinclair has a reputation for conservative-leaning editorial choices and has previously been vocal about content standards.

Their demands here align with that posture: emphasizing “community sensitivity,” “professional accountability,” and placing prerequisites on content return that go beyond just the network’s decision.

Critics’ Reactions and the Blowback

There has been significant pushback.

Media critics, free speech advocates, late-night colleagues of Kimmel, and many viewers see Sinclair’s demands as overreach.

Critics argue that requiring an apology or financial restitution in exchange for broadcast access risks turning Comcast or Disney content into a negotiation over ideological conformity.

Legal analysts note that while private companies (like Sinclair) have the right to refuse to carry content on their channels, there are potential implications if regulatory pressure or government influence contributes.

Some fear this could set a precedent where affiliate groups or local station owners become gatekeepers, enforcing political or ideological litmus tests before allowing certain content.

Where Things Stand: What’s Next

ABC/Disney have said Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

That is true for many parts of the country.

But for Sinclair’s ABC affiliate stations, the show will be replaced by news programming in Kimmel’s usual timeslot.

Discussions between Sinclair and ABC are ongoing.

Whether Sinclair will relent or stand firm depends on whether Kimmel meets their demands.

Kimmel has reportedly said he will address the controversy in the upcoming monologue, but he has not committed to apologizing or donating, at least not in publicly verified terms.

The public, meanwhile, continues to debate.

Many applaud ABC’s decision to reinstate the show, seeing it as a victory for speech.

Others believe affiliates like Sinclair should be able to set conditions for airing content on their stations.

What This Reveals About Power in Broadcast Media

This situation lays bare the complex power dynamics in American broadcast media.

It shows that network decisions and host monologues aren’t always the final word.

Local affiliates, corporate ownership, regulatory pressure, public opinion—all these actors have leverage.

It also reveals that political content in entertainment, especially late-night comedy, is increasingly under scrutiny.

What someone says in a monologue can ripple into regulatory threats, affiliate backlash, and national controversy.

Conclusion: Not Just a Late-Night Show, But a Flashpoint

Sinclair’s refusal to air Jimmy Kimmel Live! on many ABC affiliates is about more than a joke or a late-night rant.

It’s about control, consequence, and who gets to decide what will be heard.

Jimmy Kimmel will be back, but not everywhere.

Some stations will stay dark or different.

Some audiences will be left out.

In an era of polarized media, this feud between Sinclair and ABC/Disney is a preview of theater to come.

It’s where speech, politics, business, and broadcast regulation collide.

As for Kimmel himself, whether he apologizes, donates, or digs in his heels, he’s already a symbol now: part of a bigger fight.

Viewers across the country are watching, switching channels, checking when and where they can catch the return—and wondering how many more shows will face similar roadblocks in the name of “accountability” or “professionalism.

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Because in this new age of media, returning to air is not simply about giving up a timeslot—it’s about navigating the tightrope between saying something meaningful and avoiding a station blackout.