Jimmy Kimmel Live! is set to reappear on ABC channels after a brief absence, as Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group have decided to reinstate the show following viewer feedback. The show was initially pulled due to comments made by Kimmel regarding the death of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, which led to a discussion about accountability within the media industry.
Kimmel was temporarily removed from all ABC programming but returned to the network on a Tuesday evening. In his return monologue, he expressed regret regarding the comments that had prompted his suspension, stating, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.”
With the lifting of the broadcast ban, viewers in various cities, including Washington, DC, and Seattle, will once again be able to watch Kimmel’s show. Sinclair noted that discussions with ABC’s parent company, Disney, are ongoing, and while they have suggested measures to promote accountability, none have been implemented as of yet. Nexstar has also highlighted the positive nature of its discussions with ABC, emphasizing its commitment to protecting the First Amendment.
The controversy began after Kimmel’s September 15 monologue, in which he criticized attempts by political figures to distance themselves from Kirk’s death. FCC Chair Brendan Carr subsequently threatened to revoke ABC’s broadcast license, prompting Sinclair and Nexstar to cease airing the show on their affiliates. This decision sparked discussions on free speech and, at one point, led to a trend of individuals canceling their Disney+ subscriptions.
Kimmel’s return episode garnered high ratings, despite some ABC affiliates not airing it, as he continued to address the incident and criticized the political motivations behind the controversy. Former President Trump publicly expressed discontent over Kimmel’s reinstatement on social media.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7pm1jz0dlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss