Sinclair ends preemption of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, returns to air on ABC affiliates

Sinclair Broadcast Group said Friday that it will lift the preemption of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and allow its ABC affiliates to air the late-night program starting tonight, ending a week-long blackout that began after the show was suspended. The move, announced in a company statement, takes effect on Friday evening and reverses a decision that had kept Kimmel off the air on Sinclair-owned ABC stations while other groups kept the program in place.

The reversal comes after Disney reinstated Kimmel earlier this week following a four-day suspension over remarks about Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer and supporters of former President Donald Trump. The suspension had become a flash point in a broader debate about how networks handle contentious content and how local broadcasters balance audience preferences with editorial judgment. Sinclair said the decision to resume airing the program was driven by feedback from viewers and advertisers, as well as concerns about recent violence linked to the industry and the broader public conversation. The company cited, among other things, a shooting at an ABC station in Sacramento as part of a string of troubling acts that prompted a reassessment of how programming is presented to local audiences.

In its statement, Sinclair emphasized that its initial preemption was independent of any government interaction or influence. The company argued that free speech gives broadcasters the right to exercise judgment about what content airs on local stations, while acknowledging that not everyone will agree with particular programming decisions. “Our objective throughout this process has been to ensure that programming remains accurate and engaging for the widest possible audience,” the company said, adding that responsible broadcasting and respectful dialogue among differing viewpoints remain priorities even as stations exercise their local prerogatives.

The decision also comes as Nexstar Media Group, which operates about 30 ABC affiliates and had similarly pulled the show from its lineup, has not publicly stated whether it will restore Kimmel. Nexstar has not offered a timetable or clear indication of how its stations will proceed, leaving a potential split in coverage depending on market. Industry observers note that the response from local affiliates often hinges on market dynamics, advertiser relations, and viewer sentiment, factors Sinclair highlighted in its rationale for lifting the preemption.

Sinclair concluded its statement by reaffirming its mission to serve local communities with content “that reflects their priorities, earns their trust, and promotes constructive dialogue.” The company also said that while it understands that opinions will vary, it remains committed to engaging audiences with a broad mix of voices and perspectives on issues that matter to viewers across the country. The release underscored that the decision was made in the context of ongoing concerns about public safety and the role of broadcasting in shaping civic discourse.

The return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! to Sinclair’s ABC affiliates signals a notable shift in a dispute that had drawn attention beyond entertainment into the realm of media policy and free-speech debates. Kimmel and Disney had argued that dismissing the program during the suspension deprived audiences of a familiar late-night format at a time when many viewers seek a trusted, satirical voice to comment on national news and politics. Sinclair, meanwhile, indicated that its approach to programming is shaped by local conditions and the aim of serving the priorities of its communities, which it says includes maintaining a civil, constructive conversation around contentious topics.

Observers say the developing situation illustrates how networks and local broadcasters are navigating a complex landscape in which audience appetite, advertiser considerations, and concerns about violence or harassment intersect with longer-standing commitments to free expression and journalistic responsibility. The Sacramento incident cited by Sinclair, though not described in detail by the company, adds to a wider climate in which broadcast groups are sensitive to how late-night content may be perceived in relation to safety and community impact. The company’s emphasis on local priorities aligns with the broader industry practice of letting local stations determine how to balance national programming with community sensibilities and safety concerns.

Meanwhile, Disney and ABC have not publicly discussed any additional changes to other affiliates beyond the reinstatement of Kimmel on Sinclair’s stations. Disney has faced scrutiny over how quickly it moves to address controversies tied to late-night hosts and the broader implications for public trust in media outlets. The evolving stance by Sinclair could influence negotiations and decisions at other groups, particularly if viewer demand for consistent, reliable late-night programming continues to grow in markets that had experienced the blackout.

As the late-night landscape continues to shift, industry watchers will monitor whether Sinclair’s decision to bring Kimmel back on air leads to renewed audience engagement and advertiser interest, and whether Nexstar and other major owners align their schedules with Sinclair’s approach or maintain independent policies. The next several weeks are expected to clarify how broadly the industry will embrace or resist such preemption reversals and what that means for the balance between local broadcast discretion and national content strategies.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.