Los Angeles, September 24, 2025
News Summary
Jimmy Kimmel is set to make his return to ABC following a weeklong suspension due to controversial comments made about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Despite his reinstatement, major U.S. station groups Sinclair and Nexstar will continue to preempt ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on 53 affiliates across the nation. The incident has spurred a significant backlash and raised issues surrounding free speech and media censorship amid political tensions.
Los Angeles
Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to ABC on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, following a weeklong suspension due to controversial comments he made regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a monologue. His remarks sparked significant backlash, including a response from FCC chairman Brenden Carr, who indicated that the agency would investigate the matter.
In a related development, major U.S. station groups Sinclair and Nexstar have decided to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on their ABC affiliates, affecting a total of 53 stations nationwide. Despite Kimmel’s reinstatement, Sinclair and Nexstar confirmed they would continue to preempt the show, which impacts six of the 30 largest U.S. TV markets, including Washington, D.C., Seattle-Tacoma, Portland, St. Louis, Nashville, and Salt Lake City.
Notably, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will continue to broadcast at its regular time of 11:30 p.m. ET/PT despite the preemptions in affected markets. Episodes will be available on Disney’s Hulu the day following their airing and through various pay-TV providers on-demand. Additionally, Kimmel’s YouTube channel, which boasts over 20 million subscribers, typically features episode clips uploaded on the same night.
The situation arose after Kimmel’s monologue accused conservatives of manipulating the narrative surrounding Kirk’s murder, which took place on September 10, 2025. This incited a significant public outcry and condemnation from Carr, who described Kimmel’s actions as “some of the sickest conduct” while indicating the potential for regulatory actions from the FCC.
Following Kimmel’s suspension, Nexstar stated it would maintain its decision to preempt the show, while emphasizing its commitment to local programming and news. Sinclair announced they would replace “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” with news programming on the affected stations and are currently in discussions with ABC regarding Kimmel’s potential return.
The backlash from Kimmel’s comments and subsequent suspension has ignited a larger conversation about free speech and media censorship amidst rising tensions surrounding political issues in the U.S. Kimmel is expected to address the ongoing controversy directly during his return episode.
FAQ
- When is Jimmy Kimmel returning to ABC?
- Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to ABC on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, after a weeklong suspension.
- What led to Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension?
- The suspension followed controversial comments Kimmel made regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a monologue.
- How many stations are preempting “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”?
- Major U.S. station groups Sinclair and Nexstar decided to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on their ABC affiliates, totaling 53 stations nationwide.
- Which TV markets are affected by the preemption?
- The preemption affects six of the 30 largest U.S. TV markets, including Washington, D.C., Seattle-Tacoma, Portland, St. Louis, Nashville, and Salt Lake City.
- Will episodes of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” be available after airing?
- Yes, following the suspension, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” episodes will be available on Disney’s Hulu the next day and through various pay-TV providers on-demand.
- What are the other options to watch Kimmel’s content?
- Kimmel has a YouTube channel with over 20 million subscribers where episode clips are typically uploaded the same night.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Return Date | September 23, 2025 |
| Suspension Duration | One week |
| Remarks Controversy | Comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination |
| Affected TV Stations | 53 stations nationwide |
| Largest Affected Markets | Washington, D.C., Seattle-Tacoma, Portland, St. Louis, Nashville, Salt Lake City |
| Regular Broadcast Time | 11:30 p.m. ET/PT |
| Episode Availability | Next day on Hulu and on various pay-TV providers |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late-Night Amid Controversy
Jimmy Kimmel Addresses Controversy Upon His Return
Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Stage After Controversial Suspension
Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late-Night TV
Magdalena Bay Expands 2025 Headline Tour
Additional Resources
- Fox News: Nexstar to Preempt Kimmel
- CNBC: Disney/ABC Jimmy Kimmel Return
- Financial Times: Kimmel Controversy
- Hollywood Reporter: Disney Streaming Price Hike
- Wikipedia: Jimmy Kimmel
Author: HERE Nashville
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