Media group Nexstar has joined Sinclair in blocking Jimmy Kimmel Live! from returning to broadcast on its ABC affiliate stations. In a press release, the company stated on Tuesday that it would “continue to preempt” the series and “monitor” the late-night host’s return to television.
Last week, Kimmel was “indefinitely” suspended by ABC after comments he made on Jimmy Kimmel Live! about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and following a threat from President Donald Trump’s FCC chair.
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“We made a decision last week to preempt ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ comments at a critical time in our national discourse,” Nexstar said. “We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”
The comment Kimmel made that was deemed “insensitive” enough to halt the long-running, late-night series, impacting not just the host but also the extensive crew that keeps the show running, was, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with 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 then pointed out that on more than one occasion, Trump redirected questions about Kirk’s death to the construction of a ballroom in the White House.
Disney reached a formal decision to bring the series back following “thoughtful conversations with Jimmy,” the Walt Disney Company said in a statement.
On Monday, Sept. 22, ACLU published an open letter signed by more than 400 figures across the entertainment industry that pushed back against “government threats to our freedom of speech.” The letter read, “In an attempt to silence its critics, our government has resorted to threatening the livelihoods of journalists, talk show hosts, artists, creatives, and entertainers across the board. This runs counter to the values our nation was built upon, and our Constitution guarantees.”
As Nexstar continues to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the company’s statement read, the series “will be available nationwide on multiple Disney-owned streaming products, while our stations will focus on continuing to produce local news and other programming relevant to their respective markets.”
Kimmel’s first episode back since his suspension airs tonight.
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