Jimmy Kimmel Returns: Disney Lifts Suspension but Sinclair and Nexstar Refuse to Air the Late-Night Show
The highly anticipated Jimmy Kimmel return has finally been confirmed, with Disney announcing that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will resume airing on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. However, the reinstatement comes with controversy, as major affiliate groups such as Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group have decided to continue preempting the program on their ABC stations, sparking debate over free speech, network power, and audience access.
Is Jimmy Kimmel Back on the Air?
Yes—Jimmy Kimmel is back on the air after a suspension that followed his comments regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Disney and ABC reinstated the show, confirming that Jimmy Kimmel returns to late-night television on his regular schedule. But the situation remains complicated for viewers depending on which market they live in.
While Disney has cleared the program to broadcast nationally, Sinclair ABC stations and Nexstar ABC affiliates are refusing to air it. This leaves fans asking, “is Jimmy Kimmel back on the air everywhere?” The answer is no—large portions of the country will not see the show live on local channels.
Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Stand Against Kimmel
The Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns a large number of Sinclair broadcast group stations, has taken a firm position. The company announced it would not air the late-night show until Jimmy Kimmel issues a direct apology to Kirk’s family and makes a donation to Turning Point USA. This move by Sinclair media affects millions of households and has reignited questions such as who owns Sinclair Broadcast Group and what stations does Sinclair own.
List of Sinclair ABC Stations
While the complete Sinclair ABC stations list is lengthy, here are some key markets where viewers will not see Jimmy Kimmel Live!:
| Region | Sinclair ABC Station | Status on Kimmel |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | WMAR | Preempting |
| Charleston | WCIV | Preempting |
| Birmingham | WBMA | Preempting |
For those asking for the list of Sinclair ABC stations, the preemptions highlight the impact of Sinclair stations in shaping what viewers can access on the ABC channel.
Nexstar Stations Join Sinclair in Blocking Broadcast
Meanwhile, Nexstar Media Group—often misspelled as Nextstar—is taking a similar stance. Nexstar stations, including numerous Nexstar ABC stations, will not broadcast the show, despite Disney’s reinstatement. The decision by Nexstar tv stations has fueled debate about the balance of power between networks and their affiliates.
The Nexstar Jimmy Kimmel controversy has raised questions among viewers asking, “did Jimmy Kimmel get his job back?” Technically, yes, but if your market relies on Nexstar ABC affiliates, the answer feels more complicated.
What Time Is Jimmy Kimmel On Tonight?
For audiences wondering what time is Jimmy Kimmel on tonight, the answer remains consistent: the show airs at 11:35 PM ET / 10:35 PM CT on ABC. However, due to affiliate preemptions, not everyone will be able to tune in via traditional broadcast.
How to Watch Jimmy Kimmel Live
For those affected by Sinclair kimmel or Nexstar jimmy kimmel decisions, fans still have options:
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ABC streaming service will carry the episodes.
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Viewers can watch on-demand clips online.
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Some regions may access the show through services like Hulu.
Thus, anyone asking how to watch Jimmy Kimmel Live can bypass local restrictions through digital platforms.
Disney, Finance, and the Kimmel Suspension
Another big question circulating is financial: how much did Disney lose after Kimmel? Reports suggest that how much money did Disney lose or how much money has Disney lost is still being debated. Some analysts claim the backlash from advertisers has already hit ABC stock, while others speculate on how much money did Disney lose over Jimmy Kimmel in terms of reputation rather than direct dollars.
Financial Questions on Disney and Kimmel
| Query | Concern |
|---|---|
| How much did Disney lose after firing Jimmy Kimmel | Disney never officially fired him, but the suspension raised costs |
| How much did Disney lose | Unclear exact figures; tied to advertiser pullback |
| Disney Kimmel | Brand image impact still ongoing |
Cultural Reactions and Public Debate
The Jimmy Kimmel news story has become more than just late-night entertainment. From political discussions with figures like Jen Psaki, to reflections on media history with names like Norman Lear, the debate touches on freedom of speech, broadcast control, and the relationship between networks and affiliates.
Even cultural icons like Olivia Rodrigo have been mentioned in broader entertainment coverage tied to kimmel news cycles, highlighting how far-reaching the controversy has become.
Kimmel Returns but Viewers Still Divided
So, is Jimmy Kimmel coming back? Yes. Jimmy Kimmel to return was officially announced, with the Jimmy Kimmel return date set for Tuesday. Yet questions remain for millions asking when is Jimmy Kimmel coming back to their local market.
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Kimmel reinstated and kimmel back on air on ABC.
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Sinclair broadcasting and Nexstar media group are blocking the show on their affiliates.
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Viewers must turn to ABC streaming service or digital platforms to access episodes.
The saga leaves fans asking not only “is Kimmel back on the air?” but also whether network control or affiliate influence will define the future of American late-night television.
