Nexstar Media Group revealed Tuesday that it will not broadcast Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC stations, citing the host’s false claim that Charlie Kirk was killed by a MAGA supporter.
The decision comes just one day after Sinclair Broadcast Group announced it would also preempt the program, even after Disney signaled Kimmel’s reinstatement.
With both Nexstar and Sinclair—ABC’s two biggest station owners—refusing to carry the late-night show, Kimmel’s much-anticipated return is effectively blocked in dozens of markets.
“We chose to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week following what ABC itself described as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ remarks during a difficult moment for national discourse,” Nexstar said in a statement. “We stand by that choice until we have clear assurances that all parties are committed to maintaining respectful and constructive dialogue in the communities we serve.”
Sinclair issued a similar statement Monday, confirming it would replace Kimmel’s time slot with local news coverage across its ABC affiliates.
Inside Kimmel’s shrinking team, the mood is grim. One anonymous staffer told media writer Rick Ellis that the future of the show looks increasingly uncertain, blaming “MAGA a**hats” and former President Donald Trump for pressuring ABC to act after Kimmel mischaracterized the political leanings of Charlie Kirk’s accused killer.
ABC has since placed the show on an “indefinite” suspension, and the staffer admitted they doubt it will ever return. “Even if Jimmy apologized and donated to whatever conservative group is demanding it, it would never be enough,” they said.
Disney reportedly made the decision to halt production last Wednesday, after executives determined Kimmel’s refusal to walk back his comments left them with little choice. According to the staffer, Disney could decide it’s cheaper to buy out his contract and fill the slot with syndicated reruns like Modern Family or Judge Judy.
Kimmel sparked outrage when he claimed during his show: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”
But prosecutors later said the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, held left-leaning political views, not ties to MAGA.
Disney co-chair Dana Walden reportedly told Kimmel his show was being pulled after he refused to bow to demands for a public apology.
The fallout has now drawn the attention of regulators. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appearing on conservative podcaster Benny Johnson’s show, said he is considering whether Kimmel and ABC could face investigation.
“When you look at the conduct that has taken place by Jimmy Kimmel, it appears to be some of the sickest conduct possible,” Carr said, while cautioning that he may ultimately need to act as a neutral arbiter if complaints advance.
