Nexstar Media Group announced Tuesday that it will not resume airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC affiliates, despite the show’s suspension being lifted by the network. The move follows Sinclair Broadcast Group’s decision just a day earlier to keep the show off air amid mounting backlash over Kimmel’s controversial remarks about the man who assassinated Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Nexstar issued a statement reaffirming its decision, saying, “We made a decision last week to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ comments at a critical time in our national discourse. We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”
The controversy stems from Kimmel’s on-air commentary after the assassination of Kirk, during which he said, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
Kimmel’s remarks went viral, sparking immediate backlash and prompting both Nexstar and Sinclair — which together own or operate nearly 80 ABC affiliates — to invoke a rarely used contractual clause allowing affiliates to reject network programming they deem contrary to public interest.
The fallout has intensified speculation about possible political pressure behind the scenes. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr issued a statement last Wednesday condemning Kimmel’s comments, leading some media observers to question whether the show’s suspension and continued blackout were influenced by government officials.
While ABC has reinstated the program on its schedule, the standoff with two of the country’s largest station groups means the show will be unavailable in dozens of major media markets for the foreseeable future.
Kimmel has not publicly commented since his suspension, though several outlets reported he was seen visiting his legal team in Los Angeles earlier this week. Multiple petitions demanding a full cancellation of his show have gathered thousands of signatures online, while critics continue to press the network and sponsors to take further action.
The post Another Broadcasting Company Refuses To Air Kimmel’s Show appeared first on Real News Now.
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