In a stand against what it calls “deeply inappropriate” conduct, Sinclair Broadcast Group has extended its blackout of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, signaling a continued rift between conservative media owners and late-night television’s progressive provocateurs.
The media company, which owns and operates 30 ABC affiliates across the United States, announced Monday it would continue to preempt the controversial talk show when it attempts a return to air Tuesday evening. Instead, Sinclair will be replacing the timeslot with news programming on all of its ABC stations.
“Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return,” the company said in a statement released Monday.
The move comes after a week of mounting backlash following comments Kimmel made regarding Charlie Kirk, the founder of conservative youth organization Turning Point USA. Kimmel appeared to mock Kirk and lie about his shooter’s political ideology in the wake of an alleged assassination attempt—a move Sinclair executives labeled as “insensitive” and “irresponsible,” particularly given the heightened national climate.
“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” said Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith in a sharp rebuke.
Kimmel’s comments, which many on the right saw as a tasteless jab at a conservative leader following a near-tragedy, triggered immediate outrage from viewers, lawmakers, and now two major broadcasting groups. Sinclair was quickly joined by Nexstar Media Group, another significant ABC affiliate owner, in suspending the show’s distribution.
Sinclair’s position hasn’t wavered. In its statement, the company called for tangible accountability from Kimmel, not just corporate handwringing. “Sinclair also calls upon Mr. Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family. Furthermore, we ask Mr. Kimmel to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk family and Turning Point USA,” it said.
The company emphasized that it would not reinstate the show without clear corrective action. “Regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the program, Sinclair intends not to return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to our air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”
Last Wednesday, both Sinclair and Nexstar pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from dozens of markets, prompting ABC’s parent company Disney to temporarily suspend the show entirely. The FCC reportedly issued a veiled warning over the segment, adding further pressure.
Although Disney initially halted the program, the media giant reversed course on Monday, confirming the show would return the following night.
“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,” a Disney spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “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.”
However, reports suggest Kimmel has privately refused to apologize, further complicating efforts to resolve the situation. This defiant stance only reinforces conservative criticism that late-night television has become a platform for unchecked liberal activism, rather than entertainment.
