ABC affiliates snub Jimmy Kimmel's comeback, leaving show largely unaired

About 70 of ABC's roughly 230 affiliate stations will not carry Jimmy Kimmel's return to late-night television Tuesday, a move that will substantially limit the show's audience and complicate its advertiser appeal.

Nexstar said Tuesday morning it would not screen Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the 38 ABC stations it owns, Variety reported. Sinclair had already indicated that its 32 ABC affiliates would not air the comeback. Together, the actions remove about a third of ABC's affiliate footprint from carrying the network's flagship late-night program.

Tuesday's non-coverage follows ABC's decision to pull the show from the schedule last Wednesday, leaving many markets without the program and raising questions about the network's timing and strategy in response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the program's host. The move adds to a broader disruption in the late-night landscape, where advertiser exposure and live ratings are closely watched.

In some of the markets affected, a portion of the viewing audience has historically leaned toward Kimmel, complicating the network's efforts to sustain momentum for his return. Seattle's KOMO and Portland's KATU are cited as exemplars of the kind of markets where the absence is likely to be most noticeable, given their local audiences and the role they play in national ratings for the show.

The absence of coverage across the network also has potential implications for advertising revenue tied to the broadcast, as sponsors and local sales teams typically target the cross-market reach of a network telecast. With fewer outlets carrying the program, the total audience and corresponding ad dollars in many markets are expected to be diminished.

Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Brendan Carr reportedly threatened ABC after Kimmel said on air that MAGA supporters were attempting to distance themselves from Charlie Kirk's suspected assassin, Tyler Robinson, 22. Utah investigators say they believe Robinson held left-wing views. The remarks prompted regulatory scrutiny and heightened tension between the network and some affiliates and policymakers, though it was unclear what concrete steps, if any, would follow.

Developing story, check back for updates.