Nexstar Media Group announced on Tuesday that it will not broadcast “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on its ABC stations due to his inaccurate assertion that Charlie Kirk was murdered by a MAGA supporter.
Just one day before the announcement, Sinclair Broadcast Group disclosed that it would preempt the late-night program, despite Disney’s reinstatement of Kimmel.
This implies that the late-night host’s return to the airways on Tuesday will not be broadcast by ABC’s two largest station owners, who are responsible for dozens of local affiliates.
“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,” Nexstar said in a statement.
“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.”
Sinclair, which controls the largest cluster of ABC affiliates, said Monday it would also keep Kimmel off the air.