Jimmy Kimmel is back on your local TV screens after a brief but fiery blackout that had conservative voices, including yours truly, raising more than a few eyebrows.
After a controversial storm sparked by Kimmel’s remarks following the tragic killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group have reinstated “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on their stations as of Friday, September 27, 2025, ending a blackout that left viewers in dozens of U.S. cities in the dark since September 17, as AP News reports.
The trouble started on September 17, 2025, when Kimmel made comments about Kirk’s killing that didn’t sit right with many of us who value respect for the fallen.
Disney-owned ABC suspended Kimmel that same day, likely feeling the heat from threats by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who accused the host of misleading the public about the alleged shooter.
Carr didn’t mince words, and frankly, it’s refreshing to see accountability in a media landscape often swayed by progressive agendas. He even praised Nexstar and Sinclair for initially pulling the show, a move that affected roughly a quarter of ABC’s local affiliates from Topeka to Washington, D.C.
Sinclair, with its 38 markets, and Nexstar, with 28 affiliates, weren’t quick to forgive, even after ABC lifted Kimmel’s suspension in under a week. Turns out, actions have consequences, and these broadcasters held firm for over a week before relenting.
Sinclair, often a voice for conservative values, initially demanded that Kimmel apologize to Kirk’s family and donate to Turning Point USA, the group Kirk founded. That’s a reasonable ask when words cut deep during a time of mourning.
Even after Disney brought the show back nationally, Sinclair and Nexstar preempted it for three more days, showing they’re not just pushovers for Hollywood elites. Sinclair’s Vice Chairman Jason Smith called Kimmel’s remarks “deeply insensitive,” and I can’t help but nod in agreement.
Sinclair also reported troubling feedback, including a shooting into a Sacramento station lobby, hinting at the volatile climate Kimmel’s words may have fueled. They proposed stronger accountability measures to Disney, like an ombudsman, but as of September 27, those ideas remain on the table, unadopted.
Kimmel returned to the air earlier in the week, with a rerun of his emotional comeback episode airing on September 27 as the blackout ended. He called Kirk’s killing a “senseless murder” and insisted he didn’t mean to make light of it, but to some of us, that apology feels a tad late.
“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said on his return. Fine words, but when you’ve already criticized the president and his supporters for “finger-pointing,” as Kimmel did before his suspension, the damage is done, my friend.
This whole fiasco has ignited a firestorm over First Amendment protections, especially with conservatives feeling the weight of political influence in the media. Critics argue this blackout reeks of censorship, but isn’t it also about holding public figures to a standard of decency?
Sinclair’s statement on September 27 emphasized their duty to serve community interests while balancing national programming obligations. That’s a tightrope walk, but one worth walking when viewers and advertisers are watching closely.
Nexstar echoed a commitment to free speech while ensuring content aligns with local values, stating they appreciated Disney’s response to their concerns.
Meanwhile, Disney stayed silent, which speaks volumes about their willingness to engage in this debate. As analyst Matthew Dolgin noted, these broadcasters can’t afford to jeopardize ties with Disney, lest they lose affiliate agreements by 2026.
