Jimmy Kimmel, the long-time host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was officially reinstated by Disney earlier this month after a brief suspension sparked by controversial remarks made on-air. But while the network greenlit his return, millions of Americans still aren’t seeing Kimmel on their local ABC stations. The reason: two of ABC’s largest affiliate station owners — Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group — are refusing to air his show, effectively blacking it out in nearly a quarter of U.S. markets.
This unexpected standoff reveals the power of affiliate station groups in the U.S. television landscape. Although ABC is a national network owned by Disney, it does not own every local ABC station. Instead, companies like Nexstar and Sinclair own and operate dozens of local ABC affiliates across the country. These companies are under no legal obligation to air every piece of ABC’s programming. In this case, they’ve chosen to withhold Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their schedules.
The controversy began when Kimmel made remarks earlier this year during a monologue that many viewed as inflammatory, particularly towards conservative political figures. After public backlash, Disney temporarily suspended the show, reportedly in an effort to deescalate tensions with affiliates and advertisers. However, after what sources described as “internal review and discussion,” the company cleared Kimmel to return.
But his return has been far from smooth. Sinclair Broadcast Group has stated it will not resume broadcasting Jimmy Kimmel Live! unless Kimmel issues a public apology to the family of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whom Kimmel referenced in a controversial segment. They’ve also reportedly requested a charitable donation to a family foundation associated with Kirk. Nexstar, meanwhile, has taken a more strategic stance, saying it’s reviewing whether the show aligns with the “community standards” of its markets and whether it “appropriately represents the values of its viewers.”
Combined, Sinclair and Nexstar account for around 25% of ABC’s national reach — meaning tens of millions of viewers in cities like Nashville, Cincinnati, and New Orleans can’t currently watch Kimmel’s show on their local stations.
The situation is further complicated by regulatory and political factors. Nexstar is currently seeking FCC approval for a pending merger with another media company, which may explain its cautious stance. FCC Chair Brendan Carr had also hinted that stations choosing to air Kimmel could face “closer scrutiny,” though no formal action has been taken.
Disney has not publicly commented on the affiliate blackout, but media insiders suggest that the company is walking a fine line — trying to support Kimmel without alienating the powerful station groups that give ABC its national presence.
For now, Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains off the air in a significant portion of the country, despite being fully reinstated. The blackout is a striking example of how even the biggest names in entertainment can be sidelined not by public opinion or advertisers — but by the complex business dynamics of local broadcast ownership.