ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s show after backlash over his remarks about Charlie Kirk. The network announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be “preempted indefinitely.”
Nexstar, which owns 28 ABC affiliates, acted first by preempting the show immediately. Other station groups reportedly raised similar concerns. This suggests coordinated affiliate pressure influenced ABC’s decision.
The controversy started after Kimmel’s monologue, in which he linked the Kirk shooting suspect to the MAGA movement. Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr criticized the comments. He warned broadcasters that repeated violations could threaten their licenses. He praised Nexstar for acting “in the public interest.”
Kimmel had planned to address the backlash on Wednesday’s show. However, he did not intend to apologize. He insisted his remarks were not misleading or offensive.
Nexstar explained that Kimmel’s comments were “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.” The company said continuing the show in their markets did not reflect local community values. It preempted the program to allow calmer and more constructive dialogue.
Sinclair, another major ABC affiliate group, also refused to air Kimmel’s program. It announced plans to run a tribute to Kirk in the same timeslot. Sinclair also called on Kimmel to apologize before resuming broadcasts.
The suspension comes amid Nexstar’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna. This deal would make Nexstar the largest local TV station owner in the U.S. The FCC must approve the acquisition by raising the ownership cap. Tegna operates 13 ABC stations, though it is unclear if it will follow Nexstar’s preemption decision.
Carr has previously scrutinized broadcasters over content and diversity policies. After Kimmel’s suspension, he praised affiliate groups for protecting community interests. He said, “Late-night shows went from humor to enforcing a very narrow political ideology.”
This Jimmy Kimmel suspension marks a rare case of affiliate groups taking strong action against a major network program. It signals growing tension between national networks and local stations over content accountability.
