Nexstar, Sinclair Bring Back Jimmy Kimmel Live! After Disney Standoff

Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group have resumed airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! on their ABC affiliates after a standoff with Disney that began Friday night. In a statement Friday, Nexstar said, "We have had discussions with executives at 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." The company added: "We stand apart from cable television, monolithic streaming services, and national networks in our commitment – and 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."

Sinclair Broadcast Group similarly announced it would end preemption of the late-night show on its ABC affiliates and stressed its broader obligations to viewers. "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. "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."

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! has faced declining viewership in recent years, and the program was pulled off the air entirely last week after the host’s remarks about the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk sparked outrage. The notes describe the incident this way: Kimmel allegedly 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 the indictment filed the next day reaffirmed. Kimmel later returned on Tuesday with an emotional monologue, saying, "It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man" and that he did not intend to blame a specific group for the actions of a deeply disturbed individual. "This was a sick person who believed violence was the solution. And it isn't. Ever."

Kimmel’s walk-back drew swift criticism from some supporters of Kirk, who argued the host did not fully acknowledge the mischaracterization. Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet said, "Kimmel is an unrepentant liar who tried to blame Charlie’s assassination on the part of the country that just spent the last 2 weeks praying and holding vigils. He would rather advance his own political and cultural agenda than confront the truth." Kolvet added that there can be no restoration without admission of the falsehood. Democratic lawmakers also pressed Nexstar and Sinclair to bring Kimmel back on air, with coverage of the developments tracked by multiple outlets, including Fox News.

The networks’ statements framed the episodes as a test of local broadcasters’ role in balancing national programming with community sensitivities. Nexstar emphasized its commitment to the First Amendment and to producing content that serves local communities, while Sinclair pointed to measures intended to strengthen accountability and provide clearer channels for viewer feedback. The companies also highlighted safety concerns and the broader need for respectful dialogue among diverse viewpoints, citing the Sacramento shooting as an example of why responsible broadcasting matters.

ABC’s late-night lineup had suffered audience declines over the past decade, according to the notes, with Kimmel’s show losing a substantial share among key demographics. The entities’ decisions come as broader industry debates over editorial balance, platform accountability, and community engagement intensify across local television.

The two groups’ latest move signals a tentative path forward, with both sides signaling a willingness to maintain national-network programming while expanding mechanisms for accountability and community involvement. ABC, for its part, has not indicated any change in policy regarding late-night programming, and the networks have stressed their shared aim of delivering content that reflects community sensibilities and upholds journalistic and broadcast standards. As the situation evolves, observers will be watching how the proposed ombudsman role and enhanced feedback loops influence local coverage and the handling of controversial topics on air.