Beginning Friday night, Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to air on the ABC affiliates, which had preempted the show last week over remarks he made about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. 

“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,” a Nexstar statement said.  “We stand apart from cable television, monolithic streaming services, and national networks in our commitment–and obligation–to be stewards of the public airwaves.”

Similarly, Sinclair issued a statement earlier on Friday reversing its decision to keep the comedian off its airwaves.

It cited “feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders representing a wide range of perspectives.”

Sinclair had previously vowed not to put Kimmel back on air unless meetings were held with ABC to discuss the network’s “commitmentment to professionalism and accountability.”

Those discussions are still ongoing, though ABC and Disney have not yet accepted any measures proposed by Sinclair, which included a network-wide independent ombudsman, per the company’s Friday release.

The stand-down comes days after Kimmel’s first episode back on air had the highest ratings for a regularly scheduled episode in over a decade. His monologue at the top of the show ranged from the First Amendment and the Trump administration to Erica Kirk’s speech at her late husband’s memorial, garnering over 21 million views on YouTube in just a couple days—the most for a monologue in his show’s history.

Kimmel’s comeback on Tuesday drew 6.3 million TV viewers, about four times the show’s average, despite nearly a quarter of ABC’s national reach blacking out his return episode. Sixty-six local stations owned by the ABC affiliates did not broadcast Jimmy Kimmel Live!, but this cost them a natural influx of viewership, and possibly some of their market, according to media experts.

“Blackouts like this often highlight the strength of digital platforms,” Natalie Andreas, a communications professor at the University of Texas, told Fortune. 

Instead of limiting reach, blackouts push viewers toward spaces like YouTube where content spreads faster, lingers longer, and attracts new audiences who may not have tuned in live, she said.

Susan Keith, a professor in the Rutgers School of Communication and Information, told Fortune the blackouts can push viewers to seek—and easily find—Kimmel on their digital cable packages or YouTube if local stations didn’t air the show.

“There’s this idea of public interest, necessity and convenience that over-the-air broadcast media were supposed to fulfill,” she said. “So if we all move to streaming services for content because (of) incidents like this one,” it trains viewers to seek media this way.

Earlier this year, streaming overtook cable and broadcast as America’s most-watched form of TV, according to Nielsen data. 

The FCC does not license TV or radio networks such as CBS, NBC, ABC or Fox, but rather individual stations that may air programming from these networks. But the shift to streaming has raised questions about what its continued role might be as viewers lean away from individual broadcast stations. 

“I think this is an open question,” Keith said. “I think we don’t really know what to think about the ultimate usefulness of the FCC.”

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“Weird, I was told by everyone on the right that Kimmel’s show being pulled was a ‘business decision.’

Jimmy Kimmel made his emotional return to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday night, marking a defiant comeback after his show was temporarily suspended. While the late-night host clarified that his comments about the suspected shooter of Charlie Kirk were never meant to mock the activist’s death, he also used the moment to blast President Donald Trump and the FCC for hinting at possible government retaliation against ABC.

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Hours later, Trump took to Truth Social to rage against Kimmel’s reinstatement/

“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel insisted.

“I understand that to some, that felt either ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both—and for those who think I did point a finger, I get why you’re upset. If the situation was reversed, there’s a good chance I’d have felt the same way.”

“A government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn’t like is anti-American,” he said of Trump. Kimmel emphasized that the show itself was not the most important matter.

“What’s important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this,” he stated.

“The president of the United States made it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here fired from our jobs. Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.”

Trump lashes out on Truth Social

President Trump quickly posted on Truth Social about Kimmel’s return. He wrote, “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there. 

He continued, criticizing the comedian’s political leanings and ratings. “Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE.”

“He is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution. I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.”

Many folks on social media questioned why Trump reacted so strongly when the decision to bring Kimmel back was allegedly a corporate choice rather than a government intervention. 

“This is about Nexstar and Sinclair vs. Disney, and that’s ultimately a business decision,” FCC chairman Brendan Carr told conservative radio host Dana Loesch.

“Weird, I was told by everyone on the right that Kimmel’s show being pulled was a “business decision,” and yet Trump just threatened to sue ABC for allowing him back on the air,” wrote political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen.

Columnist Matthew Yglesias echoed the sentiment, writing, “A lot of right-wing people keep trying to explain that what’s going on with Trump and Kimmel isn’t the government trying to censor network television but Trump keeps clarifying that’s exactly what’s happening.”

Meanwhile, @micah_erfan observed, “REPUBLICANS: Trump wasn’t involved in Kimmel getting cancelled. TRUMP: I was involved and I’m gonna try again.”

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The reversal from the media and entertainment giant comes after Kimmel supporters pushed for a boycott of Disney’s content, products, and theme parks.

“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country. It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive,” the company said in a statement. “We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”

In addition to backlash from Disney customers, top conservatives criticized the FCC for suggesting it would take regulatory action against media companies for airing Kimmel’s show.

Republican Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul said that while they disagree with what Kimmel said, the FCC chairman’s comments risked infringing on free speech.

During his show last Monday, Kimmel criticized what he called the “MAGA gang” for “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.” 

Afterward but before ABC pulled the show, FCC Chair Brendan Carr called Kimmel’s comments “truly sick” and hinted at regulatory action against the network and Disney, warning “we can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way.”

Nexstar Media Group, which owns 32 ABC affiliate stations and is pursuing a $6.2 billion merger with Tegna requiring FCC approval, announced it would preempt the show “for the foreseeable future.” 

Sinclair Broadcasting, the nation’s largest ABC affiliate group, also removed the show and demanded Kimmel apologize to Kirk’s family and make a “substantial personal donation” to them and Turning Point USA.

After Kimmel’s suspension, Carr later told CNBC that “we’re not done yet.”

On Monday, Sinclair it will be continue preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC stations and replace it with news programming. 

“Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return,” it added.

Nexstar hasn’t announced yet what it will do.

Disney drew flak for taking Kimmel’s show off the air last week. Protestors appeared outside the corporate headquarters in Burbank, Calif., while angry Disney+ and Hulu users flooded social-media accounts and customer service pages.

The internet lit up with users sharing screenshots of canceled subscriptions to Disney-owned streaming services or canceled vacations at Disney properties. Then celebrities—and even actors who previously worked for Disney—joined in.

Tatiana Maslany, who starred in the Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, posted a behind-the-scenes image from the show on Instagram with text overlaid that said “cancel your @disneyplus @hulu @espn subscriptions!”

In addition, Marisa Tomei, who played Aunt May in Spider-Man movies distributed by Sony as well as Avengers movies from Disney, reposted a call to “unsubscribe and boycott” Disney platforms.

That followed other talent threatening to turn away from Disney. Writer and producer Damon Lindelof, whose show Lost ran on ABC, expressed his solidarity with Kimmel and said he hopes the suspension of his show is lifted soon.

“If it isn’t, I can’t in good conscience work for the company that imposed it,” he added.

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Bill Maher
Shame on ABC, FCC for Jimmy Kimmel Suspension!!!

Published September 20, 2025 8:37 AM PDT

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HBO

Bill Maher is the latest talk show host coming to Jimmy Kimmel‘s defense amid his show’s suspension — despite not fully agreeing with his remarks that led to ABC benching the broadcast.

Check out his speech on HBO’s “Real Time” Friday night — Bill rallied behind his “compatriot” Jimmy, later adding … “I am with you, I support you.”

BM also brought up his own firing from ABC 24 years ago, telling Jimmy … “If this firing goes for you the way it did for me, you’ll get 23 years on a better network.” He took another swipe at ABC, calling it the “Always Be Caving” network.

He even condemns the political right, calling the “intimidation” from them “just so hypocritical.”

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9/15/25

ABC

But, he gets why people are upset with Jimmy’s remark that Tyler Robinson — the gunman suspected of killing Charlie Kirk — is part of the political right. Bill says Jimmy was a bit out of line when he placed Tyler in with conservatives … but also said he should not have lost his job for it.

Bill goes on to encourage the ladies of “The View” to speak up after they remained silent on the discourse this week … it’s all in the clip.

As you know, ABC placed “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on an indefinite hiatus after FCC chairman Brendan Carr said he would take action against the network if something wasn’t done.

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Comedy Central

Jimmy has remained silent about the shocking news … but plenty of his Hollywood peers have spoken out in his defense, including Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert.

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NBC

It’s not known if ‘Live!’ will be canceled, or whether this is simply a temporary suspension.

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On Friday, Donald Trump praised Carr for pushing ABC on Jimmy’s remarks, calling him an “incredible American patriot with courage.”

He, as you know, also cheered on the suspension and warned Fallon and Seth that their shows were next on the chopping block.

Why So Many People Are Searching To Understand ‘Free Speech’ Right Now

Randy Holmes via Getty Images

Jon Stewart
FAKES BENDING THE KNEE TO TRUMP
… After Kimmel Suspension

Published September 19, 2025 5:17 AM PDT

Jon Stewart is using heavy sarcasm to rip into Donald Trump … this on the heels of Jimmy Kimmel getting suspended by ABC over his remarks about Charlie Kirk‘s killer.

“The Daily Show” host made an unusual appearance on the show Thursday — he’s typically only behind the desk on Mondays — as the show rolled out a complete makeover, poking fun at the president.

Before Stewart appears in a Trump-like outfit against a golden decor backdrop … the show’s announcer says, “From Comedy Central, it’s the all-new government-approved ‘Daily Show’ with your patriotically obedient host, Jon Stewart.”

The comedian pretends to be anxious as he tells the crowd, “We have another fun, hilarious, administration-compliant show” … then rips NYC as a “crime-ridden cesspool” and even suggests the National Guard should invade the city.

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TMZ.com

After roasting Trump’s recent trip to the UK … Stewart dives into the Kimmel controversy, saying the First Amendment is now judged by a “talent-o-meter” — which he calls a “scientific instrument that is kept on the president’s desk.” He jokes if a performer isn’t being nice to the president, the FCC will be notified.

Stewart quips he’s not familiar with “Johnny Drimmel Live” but “our great nation has laid out very clear rules on free speech.”

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9/15/25

ABC

As you know … Jimmy Kimmel has been suspended indefinitely by ABC after FCC chairman Brendan Carr blasted him over his Kirk comments — even hinting the FCC might take action against TV stations for broadcasting the show.

The late-night TV lineup is undergoing a drastic shakeup this year. 

From the cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert to ABC abruptly pulling Jimmy Kimmel off the air, it’s been a time of upheaval for weeknight comedy programs.

Here are the latest shifts in the 2025 late-night landscape:

Stephen Colbert Canceled

On July 17, the affable host surprised viewers when he announced that his CBS show will end in May 2026. 

“Next year will be our last season, the network will be ending The Late Show in May,” Colbert, 61, said on the air. 

When the studio audience began to boo, he remarked, “I share your feelings.”

“It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced,” he said. “This is all just going away. I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners. … And I’m grateful to the audience, you, who have joined us every night, in here, out there, and all around the world.”

Following the news, CBS issued a statement claiming that the decision was “financial” and unrelated “in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

Kimmel supported Colbert publicly, writing via his Instagram Story,  “F*** you and all your Sheldons CBS.”

And over the summer, Andy Cohen — who hosts Watch What Happens Live on Bravo — weighed in on the cancellation, saying, “I think it’s a sad day for late night television. I think it’s a sad day for CBS. I think Stephen Colbert is a singular talent. He’s going to have an incredible next chapter. I can’t believe CBS is turning off the lights at 11:30 after the local news. I’m stunned. He’s one of three late night shows deemed worthy enough for an Emmy nomination. He produces a brilliant show.”

The Late Show Wins an Emmy

Colbert and his team triumphed at the 2025 Emmy Awards on Sunday, September 14, finally scoring the award for Outstanding Talk Series for the very first time after multiple nominations over the past decade.

The crowd chanted Colbert’s name as he took the stage to accept the trophy.

“Sometimes you only truly know how much you love something when you get a sense that you might be losing it,” he said in his speech. “Ten years later, in September of 2025, my friends, I have never loved my country more desperately. God bless America. Stay strong, be brave, and if the elevator tries to bring you down, go crazy and punch a higher floor!”

Talking to Us Weekly and other outlets backstage at the Emmys, the comedian said that he planned to focus on The Late Show for the time being.

“I love what we do, and I want to go to work on Tuesday and for the next nine months with these people and work hard but have fun,” Colbert said. “We do the show with each other; we do the show for each other every day. And then I have the privilege and the responsibility that day to share with the audience what we did. And I love it, and I know it’s coming to the end in May, but I’m going to savor every day of it. I want to land this plane absolutely beautifully, and I got nothing else on my mind.”

ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Off the Air

The network stunned Kimmel’s fans when it pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! following backlash over his recent comments about the late Charlie Kirk. 

“Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely,” an ABC spokesperson confirmed to Us on Wednesday, September 17.

ABC’s move came after Nexstar Media, who owns multiple TV stations, reportedly threatened to eliminate Kimmel from its late-night schedule. The company told Variety in statement that its “owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network will preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the foreseeable future, beginning with tonight’s show.”

Kimmel, 57, made headlines for remarks he made during a Monday, September 15 monologue where he spoke about Tyler Robinson, who is accused of shooting and killing Kirk, a conservative commentator, during a September 10 speaking engagement at Utah Valley University. 

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“The MAGA Gang [is] 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 during his talk show. “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”

Before his monologue, Kimmel took to Instagram and condemned gun violence in the wake of Kirk’s death. 

“Instead of angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?” he wrote.  “On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.”