Sinclair, Nexstar end Jimmy Kimmel ban after sidelining host amid Charlie Kirk controversy

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Sinclair adds Jimmy Kimmel back to their ABC stations

‘America Reports’ shares a statement from Sinclair Broadcast Group stating that Jimmy Kimmel will return Sinclair-owned ABC stations after receiving thoughtful feedback.

Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group have both announced that they will end the preemption of ABC’s "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and the show will return on Friday. 

"Our objective throughout this process has been to ensure that programming remains accurate and engaging for the widest possible audience. We take seriously our responsibility as local broadcasters to provide programming that serves the interests of our communities, while also honoring our obligations to air national network programming," Sinclair said in a statement.

"Over the last week, we have received thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders representing a wide range of perspectives. We have also witnessed troubling acts of violence, including the despicable incident of a shooting at an ABC affiliate station in Sacramento. These events underscore why responsible broadcasting matters and why respectful dialogue between differing voices remains so important," the statement continued. 

"In our ongoing and constructive discussions with ABC, Sinclair proposed measures to strengthen accountability, viewer feedback, and community dialogue, including a network-wide independent ombudsman," it added.

SINCLAIR WILL PREEMPT JIMMY KIMMEL'S SHOW DESPITE DISNEY ENDING ITS SUSPENSION

Sinclair announced that it will end its preemption of ABC’s "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and the show will return on Friday.  (Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images)

Later Friday, Nexstar said in a statement that it had been in discussions with the Walt Disney Company and "appreciate their constructive approach to addressing our concerns."

"As a local broadcaster, Nexstar remains committed to protecting the First Amendment while producing and airing local and national news that is fact-based and unbiased and, above all, broadcasting content that is in the best interest of the communities we serve," it added. 

The broadcaster said it stands apart from cable, streaming and national networks in its obligation to "be stewards of the public airwaves and to protect and reflect the specific sensibilities of our communities. To be clear, our commitment to those principles has guided our decisions throughout this process, independent of any external influence from government agencies or individuals."

Kimmel's late-night show was pulled off the air entirely last week after the host’s remarks about the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk sparked outrage and a veiled threat from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Kimmel returned to air on Tuesday, but his program was still preempted by Nexstar and Sinclair affiliates until Friday's announcement. 

Sinclair added that proposals "were suggested as collaborative efforts between the ABC affiliates and the ABC network."

"While ABC and Disney have not yet adopted these measures, and Sinclair respects their right to make those decisions under our network affiliate agreements, we believe such measures could strengthen trust and accountability," the company said. 

ABC’S ‘JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!’ HEMORRHAGED VIEWERS OVER PAST DECADE, LOST 72% AMONG KEY DEMO

Jimmy Kimmel, host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" during the show Sept. 23, 2025.  (Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images)

"Our decision to preempt this program was independent of any government interaction or influence. Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations. While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content," Sinclair continued. 

"As a company rooted in local stations, Sinclair remains committed to serving our communities with programming that reflects their priorities, earns their trust, and promotes constructive dialogue. We look forward to continuing to work with ABC to deliver content that serves a broad spectrum of our communities," the company added. 

Kimmel drew intense backlash after he falsely suggested that Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in the Kirk assassination, was part of the "MAGA gang" despite reports he had a left-wing ideology, which was reaffirmed in the indictment filed the next day.

"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 and doing everything they can to score political points from it," Kimmel told his audience last week. 

Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show was initially pulled off the air last week after the host’s remarks about the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk sparked outrage. (David Russell/Disney via Getty Images; AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A source close to negotiations told Fox News Digital ahead of Kimmel’s comeback that Nexstar and Sinclair expected a sincere apology after he infuriated conservatives. Kimmel failed to apologize but choked up as he insisted that he never intended to make light of Kirk's death. Kimmel also spent much of the show mocking FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and President Donald Trump. 

Sinclair previously called for Kimmel to "issue a direct apology to the Kirk family" and "make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk family and Turning Point USA," neither of which have occurred. 

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Nexstar and Sinclair have both faced political pressure to lift the Kimmel blackout, with Democrats suggesting it was done to curry favor with federal regulators and appease the Trump administration. 

Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., on Tuesday sent a letter to Nexstar Chairman Perry Sook and Sinclair CEO Christopher Ripley regarding decisions not to air "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "how those decisions may relate to regulatory issues pending with the Trump administration."

Fox News Digital's Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.