Sinclair Broadcasting is putting Jimmy Kimmel back on television tonight, reversing its decision to pull the late-night host from 38 ABC affiliate stations. The move comes just days after Disney reinstated Kimmel following pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, highlighting the ongoing tension between government influence and broadcast autonomy in an increasingly polarized media landscape.
Sinclair Broadcasting is bringing Jimmy Kimmel back to late-night television tonight, ending a brief but controversial blackout that exposed the delicate balance between government pressure and editorial independence in American broadcasting. The company announced on social media that it will resume airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its 38 ABC affiliate stations, starting with a rerun of Tuesday's episode.
The reversal comes after Disney reinstated Kimmel from suspension earlier this week, but Sinclair initially held firm on its decision to replace the show with local news programming. That changed today, though the company is working hard to distance itself from any suggestion that government pressure influenced its editorial choices.
"Our decision to preempt this program was independent of any government interaction or influence," Sinclair said in a statement that reads like a careful legal document. "Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations."
But the timeline tells a different story. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr sent threatening letters to broadcasters last week after Kimmel made a joke about the alleged shooter of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Within days, both Sinclair and rival broadcaster Nexstar had pulled the show from their ABC affiliates, followed quickly by Disney's decision to suspend Kimmel entirely.
The speed of those decisions raised eyebrows across the industry. Broadcast veterans privately questioned whether station groups would move so quickly on their own initiative, especially given the potential advertising revenue at stake. Late-night programming typically generates solid returns for local stations through syndication deals.
Sinclair's statement today attempts to reframe the controversy around content standards rather than political pressure. The company revealed it has been in discussions with ABC about "measures to strengthen accountability, viewer feedback, and community dialogue, including a network-wide independent ombudsman."
That proposal hasn't gained traction with Disney yet. "While ABC and Disney have not yet adopted these measures, and Sinclair respects their right to make those decisions under our network affiliate agreements, we believe such measures could strengthen trust and accountability," the company added.
