Jimmy Kimmel is returning to ABC stations owned by Sinclair after being off the air in D.C. and other markets since Disney reinstated his show on September 26, 2025.
Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcast Group have decided not to air Jimmy Kimmel's return to TV, replacing his show with news programming on 66 ABC stations they own, citing concerns over his comments and ongoing discussions with ABC about the show's return. Despite Disney's decision to resume the show after a suspension, the preemption affects a significant portion of ABC's audience due to station ownership by these groups.
Sinclair's ABC affiliates were supposed to air a Charlie Kirk special but instead broadcast a rerun of Celebrity Family Feud, after Sinclair initially announced the special would be available online. This move followed Sinclair's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! over comments about Kirk, sparking controversy and debates over free speech and media control.