Sinclair Broadcasting Halts Jimmy Kimmel’s Shows

Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which is the largest ABC affiliate group in the U.S., has decided to stop airing all episodes of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night shows, urging both ABC and the FCC to take further steps.

As reported earlier, ABC, alongside Disney and broadcast partner Nexstar, is pulling Kimmel’s show from their channels. This decision follows remarks he made suggesting a link between the assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and MAGA supporters, despite evidence that indicated left-wing influences. Nexstar criticized Kimmel’s comments as being “aggressive and insensitive,” particularly during a pivotal time in national political discussions. They expressed a desire for a return to more respectful and constructive dialogue.

Following the announcement from ABC, Sinclair’s Vice Chairman Jason Smith issued a statement condemning Kimmel’s remarks as “inappropriate and deeply insensitive.” He emphasized the broadcaster’s duty to foster educational and respectful discussions in the community. Smith appreciated Carr’s comments, highlighting the necessity for the FCC to implement urgent regulatory actions to address the dominance of large networks over local broadcasters.

In response, Sinclair stated that an ABC station will air a special edition on Friday to honor Charlie Kirk in the time slot usually reserved for Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Moreover, Sinclair appealed to ABC to demonstrate their commitment to “professionalism and accountability,” calling for Kimmel to extend an apology directly to the Kirk family.

Furthermore, Sinclair urged Kimmel to make significant personal donations to the Kirk family and to Turning Point USA. They noted that, regardless of ABC’s future plans for his program, Sinclair would not resume airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! until they are confident that suitable measures are taken to uphold the standards expected of national broadcasting platforms.