Disney may want to move on from the Jimmy Kimmel scandal, but its two largest affiliate groups aren’t letting it go. Nexstar Media Group has announced that it will join Sinclair Broadcasting in continuing to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! across their ABC affiliates, even after the network formally declared the show’s return on Tuesday night.
This means that for millions of viewers, the supposed “comeback” of Kimmel won’t happen at all. Instead, the late-night slot will be filled with local news or alternate programming in dozens of markets nationwide.
Nexstar’s Full Statement
In a new statement released September 23rd, Nexstar doubled down on its decision to keep Jimmy Kimmel off the air.
MASSIVE BREAKING: NEXSTAR joins Sinclair in pulling Jimmy Kimmel off air tonight after his lies about Charlie Kirk’s assassination:
“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… pic.twitter.com/GmE94OzNng
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 23, 2025
“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,” the company said. “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. In the meantime, we note that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be available nationwide on multiple Disney-owned streaming products, while our stations will focus on continuing to produce local news and other programming relevant to their respective markets.”
The Battle That Sparked the Boycott
Kimmel was suspended earlier this month after spreading misinformation in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s tragic assassination.
Jimmy Kimmel in a promo ad for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Affiliates quickly distanced themselves, citing concerns about both taste and regulatory scrutiny.
- Sinclair said it would not bring the show back until Kimmel issued a direct apology to Kirk’s family and ABC committed to stricter standards of accountability.
- Nexstar initially joined the blackout on September 17th, calling Kimmel’s remarks “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.” With Disney now restoring the show, Nexstar doubled down, confirming its affiliates will keep Kimmel off the air “pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue.”
A Clash of Power
Disney may control ABC, but affiliates hold the broadcast licenses. That gives Sinclair and Nexstar the final say in whether a program airs in their local markets. Together, the two groups control roughly a quarter of ABC’s household reach, meaning Kimmel’s absence is not some minor hiccup—it’s a national problem for Disney.
A screenshot of Jimmy Kimmel crying on TV after the election of Donald Trump – YouTube, Jimmy Kimmel Live
The FCC has only raised the stakes. Commissioner Brendan Carr has already hinted that offensive or misleading remarks could impact broadcast licenses. Affiliates aren’t eager to take that risk, especially over a host whose ratings have long trailed behind rivals and whose format is increasingly outdated.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about Jimmy Kimmel. It’s about the collapse of late-night television and the leverage affiliates still wield in 2025.
Networks can announce whatever they like, but affiliates decide what actually airs. Disney’s directive doesn’t override Sinclair or Nexstar’s veto power.
The 2025 ratings for Jimmy Kimmel Live! – USTVDC.com
Then, of course, you have the late-night decline. Ratings for Kimmel and his peers have cratered. With younger audiences on streaming and older ones tuning out of partisan comedy, stations see little downside in replacing Kimmel with news. Kimmel alone has lost nearly half his already diminished audience since January 2025.
Affiliates are framing this as a matter of community standards, signaling that Hollywood’s political comedy no longer plays well outside coastal bubbles.
The Bigger Picture
For years, ABC has treated Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a flagship program. But if two of its biggest affiliate groups refuse to air it, that flagship becomes an anchor weighing down the network. Disney can either appease its affiliates with concessions—or watch the show disappear in large parts of the country.
Mark Ruffalo being interviewed by Jimmy Kimmel – Youtube, Jimmy Kimmel Live
What was meant to be a triumphant return now looks like a fragmented rollout, riddled with caveats and controversy. Instead of putting the scandal to rest, Disney finds itself in a standoff that demonstrates just how vulnerable the late-night format—and its chosen hosts—have become.
Bottom Line
Disney says Kimmel is back. Sinclair and Nexstar say otherwise. The result? Millions of Americans won’t see the late-night host’s return at all.
The ratings for Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2025 – USTVDB.com
In the end, this showdown is less about one comedian and more about a changing media landscape. Affiliates aren’t afraid to flex their power, late-night is on life support, and Disney’s decision to stand by Kimmel may prove costlier than the company ever imagined.
Are you surprised that Nexstar has stood by Sinclair in continuing to keep Kimmel off the air? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
