BREAKING: Nexstar joins Sinclair in refusing to air Jimmy Kimmel Live! despite ABC's reinstatement

Nexstar Media Group said Tuesday it will not air Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late night, joining Sinclair in pulling the show from ABC affiliates after the host’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassin last week.

Full statement from Nexstar:

“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. 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. In the meantime, we note that Jimmy Kimmel Live! 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.”

Nexstar, based in Irving, Texas, operates 32 ABC affiliates out of more than 200 stations nationwide. 

Sinclair issued its own statement late Monday:

“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 controversy comes after Kimmel’s September 15 broadcast, when he claimed the man charged with killing Charlie Kirk was aligned with Trump supporters. “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 at the time.

That remark drew criticism from Nexstar, Sinclair, and FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who said on Sept. 17 that Kimmel’s words merited suspension. Hours later, ABC placed him on leave.

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