ABC Pulls “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Indefinitely After Backlash

In Brief: ABC announced it will indefinitely suspend its flagship late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, following widespread objections from major affiliate group Nexstar Media and pressure from the FCC over the host’s recent remarks on Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Nut Graf

The decision marks an unprecedented move by a U.S. broadcast network to pre-empt a marquee late-night program in response to affiliate backlash and regulatory scrutiny. It underscores rising tensions between network programming choices and affiliate and federal oversight.

Affiliation Fallout

Nexstar Media Group, which operates 32 ABC-affiliated stations reaching over 220 million viewers, declared it would pre-empt Jimmy Kimmel Live! effective immediately. The company cited “offensive and insensitive” comments by Kimmel about the September 10 shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as the catalyst for its decision.

Regulatory Pressure

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr publicly praised Nexstar’s stance and warned that broadcasters have an obligation to serve community interests. Carr’s comments signaled potential FCC action-including fines or license revocations-if stations continue airing content deemed harmful to public discourse.

Network Response

Disney’s ABC issued a terse statement confirming the indefinite suspension but provided no additional rationale. The network emphasized its commitment to maintaining programming standards but did not specify conditions for reinstating the show.

Political Reverberations

President Donald Trump lauded the move on social media, calling on other networks to follow suit. Meanwhile, several Democratic lawmakers decried the suspension as an attack on free speech and late-night satire.

Next Steps

Until further notice, ABC affiliates will fill the late-night slot with alternate programming. The network and Nexstar have yet to announce any talks regarding the show’s future or possible on-air reinstatement.

- End of Report