Sinclair to Preempt Kimmel Return Tuesday

ABC/Disney said Jimmy Kimmel Live! will resume Tuesday after a nearly weeklong suspension following Kimmel’s Sept. 15 monologue criticizing MAGA responses to the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin. Sinclair Broadcast Group — which operates roughly 30–38 ABC affiliates reaching about 40% of U.S. households — said it will preempt the show on its stations beginning Tuesday and replace the time slot with local news while it continues discussions with ABC. Sinclair is demanding steps including a direct apology and a donation to the Kirk family or Turning Point USA, and Nexstar had previously applied similar pressure. Disney reversed the suspension after what it called “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel, but Sinclair’s refusal to carry the broadcast means large swaths of the country may not see the episode on local TV. The dispute highlights tensions among networks, major station groups and regulators over content, accountability and distribution, including broader political and FCC-related dynamics influencing carriage decisions.