Jimmy Kimmel’s return to television has been derailed by the ABC affiliate Sinclair Broadcasting Group’s refusal to air his show.
The US host’s popular late-night talk show was suspended “indefinitely” after he claimed the “MAGA gang” were trying to “score political points” over the death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
Before the monologue, Kimmel had shared his condolences to the Kirk family on social media and denounced the “horrible and monstrous” shooting.
ABC agreed to reinstate Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week, announcing that the show will return to air on Tuesday evening after furious backlash from more than 400 celebrities in an open letter.
However, Sinclair and Nexstar Media - who own a large number of ABC broadcasting affiliates across the US – have doubled down on their decision not to air Kimmel’s show.
Sinclair – which has long-standing links to President Donald Trump and US conservative politics – said in a statement: “Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming.”
They added: “Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”
Preemption is when the owners of an affiliate replace a national program with their own show.
Sinclair owns 38 ABC affiliates, including WJLA in Washington, meaning the city of Trump’s formal home, The White House, will not be able to watch Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday.
“Mr Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” said Sinclair’s Vice Chairman Jason Smith in the suspension announcement.
“We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities. We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today, and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.”
A statement from the company went on: “Sinclair also calls upon Mr Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family. Furthermore, we ask Mr Kimmel to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA.”
Sinclair said that “regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the programme,” they won’t broadcast the show again until they are “confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform”.
On Friday, Sinclair’s ABC affiliates aired a special to commemorate Kirk during the usual Jimmy Kimmel Live! time slot.
Kirk, who was the founder of Turning Point USA, was a close ally of Trump and controversial commentator on trans rights and gun control.
He died after being shot in the neck at a Utah Valley University event ob September 10. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged and could face the death penalty if convicted of killing him.
On Monday, ABC announced their decision to bring Jimmy Kimmel Live! back to TV screens.
“Last Wednesday, 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 statement from ABC and Disney said.
“It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive.
“We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”
