Jimmy Kimmel to Return to ABC After Suspension, Report Says

Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to ABC on Tuesday after a suspension tied to his remarks about the death of Charlie Kirk, a report says. The late-night host's show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was suspended indefinitely last week after a monologue about Charlie Kirk's death drew swift criticism from Nexstar Media Group, which owns a large share of ABC affiliates, and other broadcasters. The Associated Press reported on the suspension and the ensuing discussions within ABC and among its affiliate stations.

Daily Mail reported that Kimmel agreed to return to the air “out of respect … for everyone that works for him,” aiming to ensure crew members do not miss any more pay and to give the staff time to figure out their next steps. The outlet described the decision as a gesture toward the people he works with and implied the move could stabilize production as the show plans for Tuesday’s monologue.

An insider cited by the Daily Mail suggested that while Kimmel might not be leaving ABC immediately, he could depart when his contract expires in 2026 unless offered a “boatload of money” to stay. The same account noted that the comedian’s rep did not respond to a request for comment from Page Six. The report also highlighted that the host had previously contemplated leaving the network entirely if his staff circumstances compelled him to do so.

The suspension and its aftermath have reverberated across the industry. The show’s postponement last week followed Kimmel’s monologue about Charlie Kirk’s death, drawing a formal objection from Nexstar Media Group, which owns a substantial number of ABC affiliates and programming outlets. ABC, which has historically relied on Kimmel as a staple of its late-night lineup, faced questions about how the network would proceed with the program while balancing affiliate concerns and newsroom priorities. The Associated Press noted the corporate friction surrounding the suspension and the network’s handling of the incident.

Support for Kimmel quickly mounted from fellow late-night hosts, as well as hundreds of celebrities, who described the suspension as a troubling moment for free speech. AP reported that a broad chorus of voices defended the host, while some observers urged caution over on-air commentary that could incite backlash. Howard Stern joined in the protest by taking action against Disney+ in solidarity with Kimmel, underscoring the broader public-relations dimension to the dispute.

The industry fallout extended beyond social media and punditry. Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns several ABC affiliates, indicated that it would continue to pre-empt Jimmy Kimmel Live! with local news programming in its markets, signaling a divide between network-level decisions and local station autonomy. The brewing tension between corporate policy and affiliate prerogatives has kept the question of when and how Kimmel returns in the spotlight even as the network prepares for a new on-air moment.

Kimmel’s show first premiered in 2003 and has long served as a mainstay of ABC’s late-night slate. The current controversy—and the decision to return—arrives amid a broader national conversation about media accountability, freedom of expression, and the trade-offs entertainment figures navigate when addressing sensitive subjects on air. As of now, Kimmel’s representatives have not publicly commented beyond what has been reported, and ABC has not issued a detailed public explanation for the Tuesday return beyond the statements and context already reported by outlets.

If Tuesday’s monologue follows the expectations of some industry watchers, Kimmel could use the moment to articulate boundaries and reflect on the incident while continuing to acknowledge the staff and viewers who have depended on his program. The coming days will reveal how ABC negotiates the balance between creative voice, corporate policy, and affiliate realities, as well as how the host frames his path forward in light of a contract that runs through 2026.

Ultimately, the tangible outcome may hinge on conversations within ABC’s corporate leadership, its affiliate group, and the show’s production team, as well as the reception from viewers who have engaged with the controversy across platforms. The broader public response, meanwhile, has underscored the high stakes involved whenever late-night hosts tackle charged political topics, even as the industry remains wary of the potential consequences for advertising, sponsorships, and audience trust.

For now, Tuesday marks a notable moment in a story that has tested the boundaries of entertainment, corporate governance, and staff welfare in a high-profile, long-running program on one of the country’s biggest networks. The situation continues to unfold as more details emerge from insider accounts and official statements from ABC and associated affiliates.