Nexstar Media Group said Tuesday it will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC stations following the host’s false claim that Charlie Kirk was killed by a MAGA supporter.
The move comes a day after Sinclair Broadcast Group announced it would also preempt the late-night show, despite Disney’s decision to return Kimmel to the air.
That means ABC’s two largest station owners — together overseeing dozens of affiliates — will block the program’s return Tuesday night.
“We made a decision last week to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ comments at a critical time in our national discourse,” Nexstar said in a statement. “We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”
Sinclair, which controls the biggest cluster of ABC affiliates, said Monday it would likewise continue its blackout.
“Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming,” the group said on X.
Together, Sinclair and Nexstar affiliates represent about a quarter of ABC’s national household reach — a significant rebuke of Disney’s plan to restore Kimmel after his suspension last week over remarks linking Kirk’s alleged killer to the “MAGA gang.”
See Nexstar’s comments below:
JUST IN: Nexstar joins Sinclair, announces they will continue preempting Jimmy Kimmel following his comments on Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
“We made a decision last week to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s “ill-timed and insensitive”… pic.twitter.com/90ynl45ABA
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 23, 2025