Jimmy Kimmel Live Returns to ABC’s Sinclair Stations, Company Gives Statement

Jimmy Kimmel Live! is returning to ABC’s Sinclair stations.

Last week, ABC halted production on Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the FCC openly threatened to take action against the network and its license following Kimmel’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s death. This sparked much controversy and debate, with many Hollywood organizations and figures criticizing this as the Trump Administration attacking free speech.

Kimmel and ABC came to an agreement over the following couple of days, as Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Not all of the company’s affiliates, however, as Sinclair Broadcast Group, which controls 38 ABC stations, notably replaced the show with news programming in cities such as New Orleans, Salt Lake City, Washington, D.C., and more.

What did Sinclair say in its statement about Jimmy Kimmel?

After receiving “thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders representing a wide range of perspectives,” Sinclair announced that it would end its preemption of Jimmy Kimmel Live! as of tonight, per The Hollywood Reporter.

The company said in a statement, “In our ongoing and constructive discussions with ABC, Sinclair proposed measures to strengthen accountability, viewer feedback, and community dialogue, including a network-wide independent ombudsman. These proposals were suggested as collaborative efforts between the ABC affiliates and the ABC network. While ABC and Disney have not yet adopted these measures, and Sinclair respects their right to make those decisions under our network affiliate agreements, we believe such measures could strengthen trust and accountability.

“…“Our decision to preempt this program was independent of any government interaction or influence. Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations. While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content.”