Sinclair Restores Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC Affiliates After Multi-Day Suspension

Sinclair Broadcast Group has reversed its recent decision to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its ABC affiliate stations, resuming the show's broadcast starting Friday. The preemption initially followed controversial comments Kimmel made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination and pressure from the FCC under Chair Brendan Carr, who warned local broadcasters about potential penalties if they aired the program. Sinclair stated its goal was to ensure programming was accurate and engaging for the widest audience, and although it proposed several conditions to ABC and Disney, the companies did not adopt them. The blackout affected viewers in many major markets, including Washington, D.C. and Seattle, and sparked a national debate on First Amendment protections and political influence in media. Despite the preemption, Kimmel's show achieved high ratings and significant online viewership, which likely contributed to Sinclair's decision to bring the program back. Meanwhile, Nexstar Media Group continues to preempt the show on its ABC affiliates as it awaits FCC approval for a large merger.