ABC late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel’s show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is being “preempted indefinitely” according to a network spokesperson via TV Line.
The outlet reports that Nexstar, which owns 33 ABC affiliates nationwide, decided not to air the show in light of Kimmel’s recent comments about the assassination of U.S. conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Nexstar itself has issued a statement saying:
“Nexstar’s owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network will preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the foreseeable future beginning with tonight’s show. Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”
In a separate interview with Variety, Nexstar’s broadcasting division President Andrew Alford called Kimmel’s comments “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse” and that they don’t “reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located”.
The comments in question came during Kimmel’s monologue on Monday’s episode in which Kimmel in which he indicated the “MAGA gang” were trying to score political points off Kirk’s murder.
FCC chairman Brendan Carr took issue and reportedly threatened to penalize stations airing Kimmel’s show if they don’t “change conduct and take action.” He subsequently thanked Nexstar “for doing the right thing”.
UPDATE: President Donald Trump has applauded ABC’s decision and indicating whom he thinks should be pulled next, saying in postings on Truth Social that:
“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT”.
UPDATE #2: In the wake of the decision, and of President Donald Trump’s comments, multiple institutions and major figures have commented.
SAG-AFTRA has issued a statement condemning the suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, saying:
“Our society depends on freedom of expression. Suppression of free speech and retaliation for speaking out on significant issues of public concern run counter to the fundamental rights we all rely on. Democracy thrives when diverse points of view are expressed. The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms. SAG-AFTRA stands with all media artists and defends their right to express their diverse points of view, and everyone’s right to hear them.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom calls ABC’s move an attack on free speech, saying on X:
“Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous. The @GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time.”
Variety also reports that media conglomerate Sinclair, one of the U.S.’s large TV station owners and long known for leaning politically conservative, is offering a Charlie Kirk tribute special to all other ABC stations across the country to replace Kimmel’s Friday episode. In addition, Sinclair is demanding that Kimmel apologise to Kirk’s family and send ‘a meaningful personal donation’ to them as well as Turning Point USA.
The story has made global headlines and social media is currently ablaze with discussion about ABC, Nexstar and the FCC’s actions and motives.
