Jimmy Kimmel is back on Nexstar’s ABC affiliates. After nearly a week off the air, Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to the 24 stations starting Friday night, ending a boycott that had cut off about one-quarter of ABC’s national reach.
The move comes after Nexstar Media Group struck a deal with Disney executives. “We have had discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company and appreciate their constructive approach,” Nexstar said in a statement, confirming the show’s return.
What Triggered the Ban
The dust-up started when Jimmy Kimmel made a joke during his September 17 monologue about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death. That offhand remark led Nexstar and Sinclair to pull the show from their affiliates, while ABC itself paused broadcasts for five days.
The controversy quickly turned political. FCC chairman Brendan Carr threatened Disney with retaliation, and former President Donald Trump went on the attack, even suggesting possible legal action against ABC and Disney.
Ratings, Revenue, and Fallout
Despite the suspension, Jimmy Kimmel’s comeback was strong. His first night back on the main ABC broadcast earlier this week drew more than 6 million viewers—almost four times the show’s average audience. That was without Nexstar and Sinclair stations on board.
The stakes are high: Jimmy Kimmel Live! had already pulled in about $70 million in ad revenue in 2025. For local broadcasters, even a slice of that pie matters. Alternate programming was never going to match the numbers. Sinclair’s attempt to replace the show with a Charlie Kirk special ended up being pushed online instead of broadcast.
A Bigger Fight About Speech
In its statement, Nexstar insisted its decision was guided by a responsibility to “protect the First Amendment” while serving community sensibilities. Sinclair echoed that its move was “independent of any government interaction.”
But the broader battle—between politics, free expression, and business—was impossible to miss. Disney also has big deals pending, from ESPN ownership shifts to streaming ventures, while Nexstar eyes a $6.2 billion takeover of Tegna.
For now, though, Jimmy Kimmel is back in late night. And his fiery return monologue, already one of his most-watched ever, shows audiences were ready to tune in.
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FAQs
Q1: Why was Jimmy Kimmel Live! suspended from Nexstar and Sinclair stations?
Jimmy Kimmel made a controversial joke about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which led the affiliates to pull the show.
Q2: How much ad revenue does Jimmy Kimmel Live! generate?
The late-night show had earned about $70 million in ad revenue in 2025 before the suspension.
Q3: How did audiences respond to Jimmy Kimmel’s return?
His first broadcast back drew over 6 million viewers, nearly four times the show’s typical audience.
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