Nexstar Media Group to Bring Back “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

Nexstar Media Group announced on Friday that it will return “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to its ABC-affiliated stations. The show had been suspended because executives were concerned Kimmel would not reduce tensions following some controversial comments.

After discussions between Kimmel and Disney executives, a decision was made to reinstate the show, even though Sinclair and Nexstar had previously kept it off the air. Nexstar described the conversations as “constructive” in a statement posted on its website.

In the statement, Nexstar emphasized its commitment to protecting the First Amendment while also striving to provide factual and unbiased local and national news. It also highlighted the importance of broadcasting content that serves the interests of the communities they operate in.

Nexstar mentioned that they have engaged with executives at The Walt Disney Company, appreciating their constructive approach to addressing concerns. The statement also stressed a difference between Nexstar’s local broadcasting goals and larger, national networks.

Previously, ABC put Kimmel’s show on hold after various public figures, including MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd and Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, lost their jobs for their remarks regarding Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Nexstar and Sinclair chose not to air Kimmel’s show after his comments made on September 15.

Disney executives were reportedly anxious that Kimmel would intensify the situation by criticizing conservatives and not retracting his statements. However, after several talks, Disney announced on Monday that the show would resume the following night, although Sinclair and Nexstar continued to preempt it.

Kimmel returned to the show on Tuesday with a visibly emotional demeanor, stating he never intended to trivialize the murder of a young man. He did not explicitly apologize for his earlier comments.