Sinclair Will Preempt Jimmy Kimmel’s Show When It Returns To ABC But Says Discussions Are Ongoing With Network

Sinclair Broadcast Group plans to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live on its ABC affiliates when the late night host returns on Tuesday, but says that its talks with the network are ongoing.

“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.

Earlier on Monday, ABC announced Kimmel’s return, after a backlash in the creative community and among others who said that The Walt Disney Co. was capitulating to the Trump administration.

Sinclair has the largest number of ABC affiliates among station groups. They own or control 39 ABC-affiliated stations across the country, including one of the most lucrative for reaching those in power: Wjla-tv in Washington, D.C.

Last week, during his monologue, Kimmel said, “We had some new lows over the weekend…