Sinclair Broadcast Group Ends Blackout of ABC Stations
Sinclair Broadcast Group, which operates approximately 40 ABC stations, announced that its week-long blackout has concluded. Beginning Friday, shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live! and other late-night programs will return to numerous ABC affiliates.
In a statement, Sinclair conveyed, “The aim of this whole process was to ensure that programming remains accurate and attractive to the widest audience possible. We will continue to provide programming that benefits our community and upholds our serious responsibility as a local broadcaster to present national network content.”
Last week, Sinclair received diverse feedback from audiences, advertisers, and community figures. The company also highlighted recent violent incidents, including shootings at an ABC affiliate in Sacramento, underscoring the necessity of responsible broadcasting and respectful dialogue.
Disney paused Jimmy Kimmel Live! after Kimmel referred to the suspected assassin of Charlie Kirk as a “Maga” during one of his monologues. Upon his return, Kimmel expressed regret and positioned former President Donald Trump as a victim of an “authoritarian” government.
Kimmel claimed that the individual accused of Kirk’s murder did not represent any wider group, despite growing evidence suggesting otherwise. Even while criticizing certain factions implicating the “Magagang,” he insisted he did not aim to blame any particular group for the murder. Kimmel, in a way, painted himself as a victim in this situation.
He further stated, “I have a lot of friends and family on the other side,” suggesting a diverse viewpoint on the issue.
Kimmel also called out Trump and the Federal Communications Commission’s Brendan Kerr, asserting that threats to silence comedians disliked by the president were anti-American.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance expressed anger towards Kimmel, demanding an apology for what he referred to as slander against Kirk’s widow and others. “Kimmel says he’s been joking, but he wasn’t. He ascribes blame to conservative America for Kirk’s killing,” Vance remarked.
He added that Kirk was murdered by a leftist assassin, radicalized by far-left rhetoric. Vance concluded that those criticizing prayers for Kirk’s safety should re-examine their stance if it turns out they were wrong.
