Good news for fans of Jimmy Kimmel! Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that the comedian’s late-night show will return to their ABC affiliates starting Friday night. This ends a frustrating blackout that had lasted several days for many viewers across the U.S.
The blackout was initially sparked by comments Kimmel made following the tragic event involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In a statement released on Friday, Sinclair emphasized their aim was to have programming that resonates with as many viewers as possible. They view their role as local broadcasters seriously, highlighting a commitment to serve community interests while also providing national programming.
It all started when ABC, owned by Disney, pulled Kimmel’s show on September 17 due to potential pushback from the head of the FCC, who was appointed by Trump. Even before that, Nexstar, another group of affiliates, decided to cut Kimmel’s air time. Sinclair also criticized the host, calling on Kimmel to apologize to Kirk’s family and even encourage him to make a meaningful financial contribution to Turning Point USA, the organization founded by Kirk.
Despite Kimmel’s return to ABC airwaves on Tuesday, Sinclair and Nexstar persisted in blocking the show from airing in some areas.
Sinclair’s Friday statement pointed to feedback they received from viewers and voices in the community and remarked on prevailing issues like violence, referencing a shooting incident at a Sacramento affiliate’s office. They noted, “these events underscore the importance of responsible broadcasting and respectful conversations across various viewpoints.”
As Kimmel’s show was MIA in cities like D.C. and Seattle due to the boycott, it sparked a wider discussion on First Amendment rights, especially amid broader concerns about government interactions with media, given the political atmosphere during Trump’s tenure. Critics have slammed media companies that appear to filter content.
Sinclair clarified that their decision was made without any government pressure. They believe networks should have the freedom to choose their content independently; it shouldn’t be about cater to specific demands while promoting free speech.
Nexstar has yet to provide any comments on this situation. Local TV affiliates often curate their programming, including local news segments, while paying national broadcasters to air their shows. It’s a shared revenue model involving advertising and cable fees.
Discussions between Sinclair and ABC are said to be ongoing, with Sinclair promising that proposals to enhance accountability and dialogue were on the table, though ABC hasn’t yet responded.
