Jimmy Kimmel's ABC Return to Be Pre-Empted By Sinclair

"One of the largest owners of local TV stations in America says it will not broadcast Jimmy Kimmel's return to ABC on the 31 network affiliates it owns and operates. In a statement posted to X on Monday night, Sinclair Broadcast Group announced plans to show alternate programming in place of the late night host's return to the airwaves. Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live!' across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming, the statement read."

"On Monday, ABC announced it is lifting Kimmel's suspension after four days following a comment made on his Sept. 15 broadcast in which he accused the MAGA gang of trying to score political points in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it, Kimmel said."

"Sinclair and Nexstar another major owner of local ABC affiliates exerted pressure on ABC to pull Kimmel off the air by signaling they would not broadcast his show on their stations. On Sept. 17, ABC suspended Kimmel indefinitely. In a press release after the suspension was announced, Sinclair stated it will not lift the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on our stations until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network's commitment to professionalism and accountability."

Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that it will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the 31 ABC affiliates it owns, replacing the program with local news programming beginning Tuesday night. The company posted the decision on X and said discussions with ABC are ongoing as it evaluates the show's potential return. ABC lifted Kimmel's four-day suspension after a comment made on his Sept. 15 broadcast accusing the MAGA gang of trying to score political points after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Sinclair and Nexstar pressured ABC by signaling they would not carry the show, prompting ABC's Sept. 17 indefinite suspension. Sinclair said it will not restore the program on its stations until formal discussions address professionalism and accountability.

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