After more than a week of tense standoffs, Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show has returned to local television stations across the United States, marking the end of a high-profile blackout that underscored the sharp political and cultural divides shaping American media. On Friday, September 26, 2025, both Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group reversed their suspensions, allowing "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to resume airing on their combined 66 local affiliates, from Seattle to New Orleans and dozens of cities in between, according to the Associated Press and other major outlets.
The controversy erupted on September 17, when Disney-owned ABC suspended Kimmel’s program after he made remarks related to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The move came in the wake of threats from the Trump-appointed head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), who warned of potential repercussions if the network did not take action. The FCC’s intervention—rare in the realm of late-night comedy—prompted ABC to pull the show, while Nexstar and Sinclair, two of the nation’s largest local broadcasters, followed suit with their own blackouts.
Sinclair, which is known for its conservative editorial stance, demanded a public apology from Kimmel as well as a personal donation to Turning Point USA, the nonprofit Kirk had founded. Nexstar, meanwhile, cited concerns about community standards and the need to balance free speech with local interests. Together, their actions left viewers in nearly a quarter of ABC’s local TV markets without access to the popular late-night program.
The blackout quickly became a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over free speech, censorship, and the role of political influence in American media. Critics accused the broadcasters of yielding to political pressure and stifling dissenting voices, while supporters argued that Kimmel’s comments had crossed a line and warranted disciplinary action. The uproar was further fueled by the involvement of former President Donald Trump, who has long targeted late-night hosts and called for their removal from the airwaves. According to the Associated Press, Trump’s ongoing criticisms of Kimmel and others set the stage for the intense backlash that followed the comedian’s remarks.
On his return to the airwaves, Kimmel addressed the controversy head-on. He reiterated his condemnation of Kirk’s killing, calling it a "senseless murder" and expressing sympathy for the activist’s family and other victims of gun violence. "It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man," Kimmel said, adding that he understood some viewers found his comments "ill-timed or unclear or maybe both." He stopped short of issuing a formal apology, but used a blend of humor and pointed commentary to highlight the importance of free speech and the dangers of political interference in media.
"This was an anti-American effort to silence comedy," Kimmel declared during his emotional return, according to the Associated Press. He criticized the boycott as an attempt to silence a comedian for telling jokes and voiced concern about a political climate where leaders celebrate job losses over political humor. His remarks resonated with many viewers, who saw the blackout as a troubling sign of increasing polarization and intolerance for dissenting opinions.
Sinclair and Nexstar’s eventual decision to reinstate the show came after days of mounting public pressure and behind-the-scenes negotiations. In a statement, Sinclair said it had received "thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers and community leaders," and cited its dual responsibilities to serve local interests while honoring national programming obligations. The company also referenced "troubling acts of violence," including a shooting into the lobby of a Sacramento station, as part of its rationale for seeking greater accountability and dialogue with Disney. Sinclair proposed appointing an ombudsman and other measures to strengthen oversight, but noted these suggestions had not yet been adopted by Disney.
Nexstar, for its part, expressed appreciation for Disney’s approach and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the First Amendment while providing content "in the best interest of the communities we serve." Both companies emphasized that their decisions were made independently, without influence from government officials or outside parties. Disney declined to comment on the resolution.
The impact of the blackout was significant. For more than a week, viewers in 28 Nexstar markets and 38 Sinclair markets—representing a sizable portion of the country—were unable to watch "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on local television. The suspension also inflamed tensions over the boundaries of acceptable speech and the extent to which corporations and regulators can or should police content. As critics pointed out, the incident highlighted the fragility of affiliate relationships in the broadcast industry, where local stations pay national networks for content and share advertising revenue.
Matthew Dolgin, a senior equity analyst at Morningstar, told the Associated Press he wasn’t surprised by the show’s return. "The relationship with Disney is far too important for these firms to risk," Dolgin said, noting that Disney could have taken its affiliate agreements elsewhere in 2026, a scenario that would have been "devastating to Nexstar and Sinclair." In the end, economic realities and the threat of long-term damage to business relationships appear to have outweighed the short-term political considerations that drove the initial suspensions.
During the blackout, Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith called Kimmel’s comments "inappropriate and deeply insensitive," arguing that ABC’s initial suspension was not enough and calling for "immediate regulatory action." FCC Chairman Brendan Carr accused Kimmel of attempting to "directly mislead the American public" about the man accused of killing Kirk, and applauded Sinclair and Nexstar for preempting the show. These strong reactions underscored the high stakes and deep divisions at play, as well as the willingness of some officials to use regulatory power to shape media content.
While the immediate crisis has subsided and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is back on the air nationwide, the underlying tensions remain unresolved. The episode serves as a vivid reminder of the challenges facing broadcasters as they navigate the competing demands of free expression, political pressure, and commercial interests. For now, fans of the show can once again tune in to Kimmel’s signature blend of humor and political commentary, but the broader debate over media freedom and accountability is far from over.
As the dust settles, the return of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" stands as both a relief for viewers and a cautionary tale for an industry increasingly caught in the crossfire of America’s culture wars.
