Jimmy Kimmel Returns to ABC as Dozens of ABC Affiliates Skip the Comeback Episode
Affiliates from Sinclair and Nexstar decline to air the late-night show's return amid ongoing controversy surrounding the suspension.
Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television Tuesday after a week-long suspension tied to his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s killing, but the comeback is not universal across ABC affiliates. The comedian arrived at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre on Hollywood Boulevard hours before his show was due to air, entering through the back door to avoid news crews. Jimmy Kimmel Live! is scheduled to broadcast at 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC, though Sinclair and Nexstar stations—together representing roughly a third of ABC’s affiliate base—said they would not carry the episode.
Disney, the parent company of ABC, suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week to avoid inflaming a tense situation at a pivotal moment for the country. After what Disney described as thoughtful conversations with Kimmel, the company announced the show would return on Tuesday. The return will feature actor Glen Powell as a guest and Sarah McLachlan as the musical guest; McLachlan had previously canceled a high-profile engagement in protest of the suspension. Powell is promoting his new Hulu series, Chad Powers.
Security at the studio was described as heightened in the hours ahead of the taping, with staff preparing to manage audience behavior and enforce check-in protocols. Behind the scenes, Kimmel’s longtime sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez posted a conciliatory note on Instagram celebrating the comeback, after being photographed fleeing the studio with other staff when the suspension was announced last week.
McLachlan’s appearance comes as the broader entertainment landscape remains mired in debate over the suspension and free-speech protections for media figures. Joe Rogan used his podcast to defend Kimmel’s remarks while criticizing political pressure on media and asserting that the government should not dictate content. In parallel, former Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Disney’s decision, arguing that government pressure on private companies threatens democratic norms. Others, including Ellen DeGeneres and Stephen Colbert, publicly welcomed the return and teased their own monologues in response.
The entertainment and media cats‑and‑dogs of commentary extended to social media and late-night talk shows, with Daily Show host Jon Stewart poking fun at the rapid turn of events and political commentators weighing the implications for free speech. Actor Danica Patrick and others offered mixed takes on whether a network should retract or defend a suspension depending on corporate interests.
Sonic movements of support for Kimmel stretched into industry unions and political figures. A letter signed by more than 430 figures from the movie, TV, and stage worlds urged defense of free expression against government pressure, arguing that suppression of speech threatens democratic values. The letter coincided with a broader discourse about who gets to set the boundaries of national discourse and how private companies respond when political force is applied.
ABC’s parent company, Disney, issued an official statement explaining the suspension and subsequent decision to bring the show back. The studio’s decision was framed as a measure taken during a tense moment in public discourse, with assurances that producers would engage in ongoing conversations about appropriate content going forward. The episode’s return also aligns with a wider conversation about accountability, media responsibility, and the streaming strategies that accompany broadcast schedules.
As the return aired, Nexstar Media Group—owner of 28 ABC affiliates—said it would continue to preempt Kimmel’s program in its markets, emphasizing that it would prioritize local programming and news coverage. Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns 32 ABC affiliates, made a similar decision, highlighting ongoing disagreements over national programming versus local audience needs. The companies noted that Kimmel’s show would still be accessible nationwide on Disney’s streaming platforms, including Hulu, the day after broadcast.
For viewers in markets that carried the program, the return offered the usual late-night mix: monologue, guest interview, and a musical segment, with guest promotion of new projects and a nod to the ongoing public debate surrounding the suspension. The episode’s content and whether Kimmel would directly address the controversy were left to the host’s discretion, as insiders suggested the monologue might pivot toward a broader talk about free expression and the balance between corporate interests and audience expectations.
In a separate trend tied to the broader fallout, Disney announced another round of streaming-price increases set to take effect later in the year. Beginning October 21, the ad-free Disney+ plan would rise to $19 per month, and the ad-supported tier would climb to $12 per month, continuing a pattern of price adjustments during turbulent times for the company.
For many fans, the immediate question was whether the absence of Sinclair and Nexstar’s stations would affect their viewing plans. Sinclair and Nexstar underscored that their decisions were market-driven, focusing on local-community needs. In markets where Kimmel aired, viewers could also stream the episode on Hulu the following day, ensuring access even where local affiliates chose not to broadcast.
As entertainment industry observers watch the fallout from the suspension continue to unfold, the question remains how the back-and-forth between networks, executives, and the public will shape the future of late-night television and corporate accountability in a media landscape where content decisions are increasingly scrutinized across platforms.
