Deadline reports that Nexstar has followed suit and lifted its ban on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, restoring the show to its ABC affiliates nationwide. The move comes just hours after Sinclair announced it would also resume broadcasts. With both major station groups reversing course, viewers in dozens of affected markets including Washington, D.C., Seattle, and many others will once again have uninterrupted access to the late-night program.
The blackout of Jimmy Kimmel Live! had been easing even before Nexstar’s announcement. Sinclair Broadcast Group, one of the two broadcasters that pulled the show earlier this month, confirmed Friday that it would reinstate the program on its ABC affiliates. Nexstar Media Group had initially held out, but mounting criticism and political scrutiny appear to have influenced its decision..
The dispute stems from Kimmel’s September 15 monologue, where he made a joke referencing the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. ABC briefly suspended the show but reinstated it earlier this week. Even after Kimmel’s return, Sinclair and Nexstar refused to air the program, a decision widely interpreted as politically motivated.
As reported by CNN, critics accused the broadcasters of attempting to align with former President Donald Trump and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, both of whom condemned Kimmel and hinted at potential reviews of local broadcast licenses. Sinclair denied any political influence, emphasizing that its decision was made “independent of any government interaction or influence.”
The company also disclosed that it had negotiated with ABC over possible accountability measures, including the appointment of an independent ombudsman and expanded viewer feedback options. While ABC rejected those conditions, Sinclair said it would restore the show in compliance with its affiliate agreement. The broadcaster further urged Kimmel to apologize to Kirk’s family and donate to his nonprofit, Turning Point USA.
On Thursday’s broadcast, Kimmel responded with humor, remarking: “Even though we are still being preempted in 60 American cities… we had our second-highest rated show in almost 23 years.” He quipped, “We got the Trump bump.”
The controversy has also spurred debate about broadcasters’ power over late-night programming, as well as whether political pressure should be used to determine what people can see. Media watchdog groups believe that the shutdown sets a troubling precedent for free expression on network television. Meanwhile, ABC has stood fast in its support for Kimmel, presenting the debate as a test of journalistic independence.