Jimmy Kimmel’s Show to Return to ABC, But Affiliate Stations Refuse to Air It

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will return to ABC on Tuesday night after nearly a week off the air, but the late-night talk show will not be seen in every household. A standoff between the network and some of its most powerful affiliate station owners has turned into a broader national conversation about free speech, corporate responsibility, and the limits of late-night comedy.

A Weeklong Standoff

ABC announced Monday that Kimmel’s late-night program would resume airing Tuesday, ending days of uncertainty following the network’s decision to temporarily pull the show after what executives described as the host’s “ill-timed and insensitive” remarks. The network has not clarified the nature of Kimmel’s comments, but they sparked heated backlash and pressure from advertisers.

Despite ABC’s reinstatement, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group—two of the largest owners of ABC affiliates in the country—confirmed that they will continue to preempt the show. Together, the companies own roughly one in five ABC affiliates nationwide, meaning millions of viewers will be unable to watch Kimmel’s program on their local stations.

Sinclair and Nexstar Stand Firm

Sinclair, which operates dozens of ABC affiliates, said it would air local news programming in place of Kimmel’s show. “Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return,” a company spokesperson told CNN. Nexstar issued a similar statement, emphasizing that its decision stems from concerns about tone and civility.

“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 Tuesday. “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.”

Free Speech Debate Intensifies

The affiliates’ actions have triggered a political and cultural debate, with supporters applauding the decision as a stand for accountability and critics decrying it as censorship. Brendan Carr, a Federal Communications Commission member and close ally of President Trump, praised the move in a social media post, writing:

“Local TV stations — for the first time in years — stood up to a national programmer & chose to exercise their lawful right to preempt programming.”

Free speech advocates, however, argue that preemption by powerful station groups undermines the ability of networks to reach audiences and sets a troubling precedent for political influence in entertainment. “This isn’t about taste or timing anymore—it’s about whether local owners get to silence national voices,” said Jane Kirtley, a professor of media ethics at the University of Minnesota.

Upcoming Guests and Programming

ABC hopes that the return of big-name guests and music acts will help stabilize the show and reassure advertisers. Tuesday night’s lineup features actor Glen Powell, star of Hulu’s upcoming sports comedy series Chad Powers, and musician Sarah McLachlan, who is promoting the Disney-owned Hulu documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery, about the iconic 1990s female-focused music festival.

The week continues with a slate of high-profile appearances: Ethan Hawke, Lisa Ann Walter, and musical guest Yungblud on Wednesday; followed by Peyton Manning, Oscar Nuñez, and indie musician Alex G on Thursday. The guest list underscores ABC’s strategy of leaning into its corporate ties, as many are promoting Disney or Hulu projects.

The Business Stakes

For ABC, the Kimmel controversy is not just about one host—it’s about the stability of late-night programming in an era of declining network viewership. Affiliates like Sinclair and Nexstar hold significant leverage, and their refusal to air the show raises questions about how much control networks truly have over national programming.

“Affiliates are powerful because they connect networks to local advertising and local audiences,” explained Amanda Lotz, a professor of media studies at Michigan State University. “When they push back, even a major network like ABC has to take notice.”

The preemption also has implications for advertisers, who may hesitate to buy commercial slots on a show with uncertain distribution. That, in turn, could weaken ABC’s bargaining power at a time when streaming platforms like Hulu and Netflix are siphoning away late-night audiences.

Broader Cultural Implications

The Kimmel controversy comes amid a larger debate over the role of late-night television in politics. Once dominated by lighthearted comedy and celebrity interviews, late-night shows have increasingly become venues for political commentary. Hosts like Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers frequently weigh in on current events, drawing both praise for their candor and criticism for perceived bias.

“Late-night comedy has always pushed boundaries,” said Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University. “What’s new is the level of political polarization, where a joke isn’t just a joke—it becomes a flashpoint in the culture wars.”

Looking Ahead

Whether “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” can fully rebound depends on how negotiations with affiliates unfold. ABC is expected to continue discussions with Sinclair and Nexstar in hopes of restoring the show’s national reach. For now, though, millions of viewers in local markets will see news programming instead of late-night comedy.

In the meantime, the controversy has elevated a late-night scheduling dispute into a test case for free speech, corporate influence, and the evolving relationship between national networks and local affiliates.

As Kimmel returns to his desk Tuesday night, the spotlight will shine not only on his monologue, but also on the larger battle over who controls the airwaves in American homes.