Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has resumed airing on numerous local television stations across the United States after a weeklong blackout. The interruption was initiated by Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group following Kimmel’s remarks concerning the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The blackout ended on September 22, 2023, allowing viewers in 66 markets, including major cities like Washington, D.C., Seattle, and New Orleans, to access the program once again.
The controversy began on September 17, 2023, when both companies halted the airing of Kimmel’s show due to comments he made after Kirk’s death, which they described as insensitive. The decision came amid pressure from significant station groups and concerns raised by Brendan Carr, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, regarding the show’s content. The suspension lasted less than a week for Kimmel, while the blackout at local affiliates extended just over seven days.
Details of the Blackout and Response
During the blackout, Sinclair opted to replace Kimmel’s program with news content, stating that they were assessing the situation. Shortly after, Nexstar joined the suspension, further limiting access to the show. Sinclair’s actions were influenced by what they referred to as “troubling acts of violence,” including a shooting at a Sacramento station, which heightened their concerns about airing Kimmel’s comments.
Kimmel referred to Kirk’s death as a “senseless murder” and criticized former President Donald Trump and his supporters for their reactions. Although he did not issue an apology during his return on Tuesday, he acknowledged that his remarks might have been seen as “ill-timed or unclear.” Kimmel emphasized the critical importance of free speech in his address.
In response to the incident, Sinclair had called for Kimmel to apologize to Kirk’s family and suggested he make a donation to Turning Point USA, the nonprofit organization founded by Kirk. Nexstar echoed these sentiments, expressing the need to balance community interests with First Amendment rights in their programming decisions.
Future of the Show and Viewer Expectations
Both Sinclair and Nexstar indicated that their decisions were influenced by feedback from viewers and advertisers rather than direct government pressure. In their statements on Friday, they underscored their commitment to maintaining accountability and addressing community concerns. Sinclair noted that its proposals for increased accountability to Disney, the parent company of ABC, had not yet been implemented.
On the night of the show’s return, Kimmel’s episode was a rerun of his emotional address from Tuesday. New episodes are expected to resume shortly, with viewers eager to hear Kimmel’s take on the unfolding developments related to the controversy. The resolution of the blackout marks a significant moment for both Kimmel and the local stations that faced viewer backlash during the suspension.
