The future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! is in jeopardy after two of the country’s largest ABC affiliate station owners, Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, announced they will no longer air the program following a major controversy tied to the tragic death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
The uproar began when Kimmel, during a recent monologue, incorrectly linked the suspect in Kirk’s assassination, Tyler Robinson, to the MAGA movement. Law enforcement later clarified that Robinson had left-leaning political views and no known connections to conservative groups. Critics accused Kimmel of politicizing a tragedy, calling his remarks misleading and deeply inappropriate.
Why Affiliates Are Taking Action
Nexstar described its move as part of its “commitment to maintaining respectful public discourse” during a period of extreme national division. Sinclair echoed that sentiment, stating it would replace Kimmel’s show with late-night news programming.
The combined reach of these two media giants means a large portion of ABC stations nationwide will no longer broadcast Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Even though Disney, ABC’s parent company, reinstated the show after a brief suspension, the blackout threatens its survival by stripping away millions of viewers.
The Fallout
Kimmel’s comments quickly went viral, drawing intense backlash from conservatives and moderates alike. Lawmakers and media commentators accused him of spreading misinformation at a time when accuracy is critical.
Disney initially suspended the show indefinitely, calling the remarks “ill-timed and insensitive.” Though Kimmel was later reinstated, the company continues to face mounting criticism and financial pressure as advertisers quietly pull upcoming ad placements.
Behind the scenes, Disney executives are scrambling to decide whether to stand by their longtime late-night star or make a drastic move to save the network’s reputation.
The decision they make next could completely change the landscape of late-night television as we know it…
