Nexstar, Sinclair demand apology from Kimmel before reinstating ABC show

Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting Group say they will not return ABC-affiliated stations to air until Jimmy Kimmel delivers a formal apology for comments about Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin, according to a source familiar with the discussions. Disney, which suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week, reversed course and set a Tuesday return for the program, but the two leading station groups are aligning their stance with conditions tied to the host’s remarks. The negotiations indicate the affiliates and the network are still negotiating the terms of Kimmel’s comeback as the executives push for a language and tone they consider appropriate for their markets.

Sinclair and Nexstar plan to preempt the show in their markets if they do not see a credible apology, the source added. The source cautioned that the parties are seeking a “real apology” rather than a limited acknowledgment. The talks involve Disney executives, Sinclair and Nexstar, and, according to the source,TPUSA leaders have been applying soft pressure to Disney, arguing that a resolution could be favorable for Kimmel. The discussions also reflect a broader political reality in several markets where the local ABC affiliates operate, including regions that voted heavily for Donald Trump in the 2024 cycle. The source noted that Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, publicly forgave the man who killed her husband and suggested that unity in the public discourse would be preferable to ongoing rancor.

The fallout began last week when Kimmel described conservatives as having sunk to a new low by attempting to frame the 22-year-old suspect in Kirk’s death as part of a broader MAGA movement. Kirk was killed during a campus event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 while responding to a question about transgender mass shootings. FBI texts released in the aftermath indicated the suspect’s confession to the murder. Disney announced a temporary suspension of the late-night program while it reviews the remarks, a decision that drew immediate scrutiny from critics who argued that the host’s comments crossed lines of responsible journalism and political balance. The network later signaled a path back to the air, with Kimmel scheduled to speak on Tuesday.

During the ensuing discussions, executives emphasized that reinstatement would depend in large part on how the remarks were framed and whether the host offered a clear and meaningful apology. A separate thread of the conversations concerned how the remarks might be interpreted in volatile political contexts, including the communities where ABC affiliates operate. The source said that Disney, Sinclair and Nexstar are seeking a resolution that would reduce the risk of further disruption to local programming and listener/viewer trust, while also addressing concerns raised by the Kirk family and others.

The issue collided with a broader regulatory backdrop. The Federal Communications Commission chair issued a warning to ABC and Disney in the wake of Kimmel’s remarks, signaling that there could be consequences if broadcasts continued down a path that regulators viewed as potentially harmful or misleading. The chair’s statement underscored that the public airwaves carry obligations that extend beyond entertainment value and into accountability and accuracy in political discourse. ABC and Disney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the regulatory note.

The negotiations have also highlighted the political landscape of the markets where ABC affiliates operate. The source noted that several of these markets lean toward Trump-era coalitions, and there is an expectation that local stations would be sensitive to audience sentiment in their programming decisions. TPUSA leaders have described the situation as an opportunity for Kimmel to address the controversy in a way that could balance accountability with the network’s commitment to a wide audience. The lingering question remains whether the upcoming Tuesday monologue will satisfy the conditions set by the affiliates and whether the parties can reach a broader consensus on standards for what is considered acceptable commentary in a late-night format.

Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, was present at a memorial service in September 2025 and publicly forgave the man who killed her husband, a gesture highlighted by some in the talks as part of a broader call for a focus on responsible political dialogue. The source emphasized that if Erika Kirk can move forward, a sincere apology from Kimmel would be viewed as a natural next step toward restoring constructive conversation and limiting further disruption to ABC's affiliates.

As Tuesday’s return approaches, the parties appear to be weighing both procedural and substantive questions about the type of apology that would satisfy affiliates, Disney’s corporate priorities, and the broader expectations of viewers. Disney executives have stressed a desire for “peace” in the wake of the controversy, a sentiment echoed by attendees in talks with Nexstar and Sinclair. Whether that peace translates into a formal, clearly articulated apology from Kimmel remains to be seen. In the meantime, ABC’s stations in key markets are preparing to implement the plan that aligns with the conclusion of the ongoing negotiations, with some ready to preempt the program if the terms are not met.