Two ABC affiliates confirm they will not show Jimmy Kimmel's return on TV stations

Jimmy Kimmel’s late night talk show return has hit a brick wall now that two ABC affiliates are refusing to lift the suspension.

Jimmy Kimmel’s beloved nighttime show has come under fire since last week after the host addressed the assassination of Charlie Kirk, as well as poking fun at the way Donald Trump seemed to grieve the political activist's death.

Following his comments, ABC suspended the show ‘indefinitely’, and the reactions were varied.

Some believed it was an attack on free speech, while others said it was only right that he should be taken off air. However, less than a week later, Disney announced that Kimmel’s show would be returning.

Disney owns ABC, with the Walt Disney Company stating last night (September 22): "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.

"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 (23 September)."

Jimmy Kimmel's show was set for a return (Chad Salvador / Contributor / Getty)

But shortly afterwards, Sinclair Inc. - an ABC affiliate - confirmed it will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

The company 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.

"Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show's potential return."

The company added that the suspension would not be lifted until 'formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability'.

In addition, Sinclair asked Kimmel to' issue a direct apology to the Kirk family' and make a 'meaningful personal donation' to the Kirk Family and his company, Turning Point USA.

In a statement, they said: “Regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the program, Sinclair intends not to return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to our air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”

Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while attending a debate in Utah (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

Now, Nexstar has confirmed it too will not air the show.

With both companies refusing to air Kimmel’s show, it impacts nearly a quarter of ABC’s affiliate reach.

Nexstar explained its decision in a further statement, saying: “We made a decision last week to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ comments at a critical time in our national discourse.

“We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”

However, Nexstar also said the show will still be available nationwide on Disney-owned streaming platforms.

UNILAD has approached ABC for comment.

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