After days of blackout and controversy, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group have officially ended their boycott of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, announcing that the show will again air on their ABC-affiliated stations starting Friday night.
🔥 What Led to the Boycott
- On September 17, 2025, ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following backlash over Kimmel’s monologue about conservative reactions to the killing of Charlie Kirk.
- Although ABC reinstated the show a few days later, Sinclair and Nexstar chose to continue preempting it on many of their local stations.
- Sinclair emphasized that its decision was based on “programming responsibility” and claimed it did not act at the behest of external pressure.
✅ What Changed
- Facing pressure from viewers, advertisers, and local communities, Sinclair reversed its stance and will resume airing Kimmel across its ABC affiliates. No editorial concessions were reportedly required.
- Nexstar also followed suit, stating it had engaged in discussions with Disney (ABC’s parent) and would likewise restore the show.
🌐 Implications & What It Reflects
This saga has spotlighted key issues in U.S. media and politics:
- Free speech & censorship debates — critics argued the original boycott and suspension represented a chilling effect on commentary and creativity in entertainment.
- Corporate vs. public pressure — the turnaround showed how reputational and financial backlash can influence media decisions.
- Local broadcasting sovereignty — Sinclair and Nexstar’s initial refusal underscored how local media groups can exert control over what content reaches viewers.
- Media consolidation risks — the influence these few large station groups have over what mainstream audiences see came under scrutiny.
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