The broadcaster said that negotiations are ongoing with the ABC.
Broadcasting company Sinclair, Inc. said on Sept. 22 that it would hold off airing comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show amid ongoing controversy over his remarks about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
“Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate news stations and replacing it with news programming,” Sinclair said in a post to social media. “Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”
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. pic.twitter.com/beGC6VID2x
— Sinclair, Inc. (@WeAreSinclair) September 22, 2025
The announcement came on the same day that ABC said it would be returning Kimmel’s show to air, after a brief suspension in response to his comments on Kirk’s shooter.
“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 said during a recent show. MAGA stands for President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” policy agenda.
In an interview with Fox News, FBI Director Kash Patel said that the family of suspected shooter Tyler Robinson said he subscribed to a left-wing ideology. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox also indicated an ideological motive, noting that bullet casings were found with messages like “Hey Fascist” And “Bella Ciao,” which is a lyric for an Italian anti-fascist song.
The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, said it felt Kimmel’s comments were “ill-timed” and “insensitive.”
“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,” a statement from the company read.
Kimmel was one of many to face adverse employment actions after controversial comments about Kirk’s assassination. Another media outlet, MSNBC, fired one of its contributors over comments he made immediately following the shooting.
The fallout from Kirk’s assassination has also sparked debate about free speech.
Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
By Sam Dorman
