URGENT UPDATE: In a surprising turn of events, Sinclair Broadcast Group has announced it will preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! across its ABC affiliate stations starting tonight, September 22, 2025, despite Disney confirming the show’s return on September 23, 2025. This decision affects 39 ABC-affiliated stations, including key markets like Washington, D.C.
Officials from Sinclair revealed via their official X (formerly Twitter) account, “Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”
The controversy surrounding Kimmel began with his remarks on the September 15 episode, where he controversially linked the death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk to the “MAGA gang.” His comments sparked widespread backlash, including criticism from Donald Trump and other political figures, prompting Disney to suspend the show on September 17.
After intense discussions with Kimmel, Disney announced its decision to bring the talk show back. “We made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” a Disney representative stated to USA TODAY. “After thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”
As the situation develops, viewers are left in uncertainty. Sinclair’s decision highlights the ongoing tensions between media companies and their affiliates, especially in politically charged environments. With Kimmel’s return set for tomorrow but Sinclair’s preemption in effect, audiences across the nation will be watching closely.
What’s next? Sinclair has indicated that ongoing discussions with ABC may lead to further developments regarding the show’s status. Will Kimmel’s return be overshadowed by local news programming? Only time will tell as audiences await the latest updates.
Stay tuned for more breaking news as this story evolves.
