Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, resumed airing on numerous local television stations across Ohio and other regions on September 22, 2023. This return followed a weeklong blackout initiated by Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group due to controversy surrounding Kimmel’s comments after the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The blackout, which affected 66 local markets, including major cities such as Washington, D.C., Seattle, New Orleans, and Topeka, Kansas, began on September 17. Sinclair and Nexstar suspended Kimmel’s show, labeling his remarks as insensitive. The decision was taken amidst pressure from major station groups and regulatory threats from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr.
During the blackout, Sinclair replaced Kimmel’s show with news programming and stated it was assessing the potential for its return. Shortly thereafter, Nexstar joined in the suspension, further limiting viewer access. Sinclair’s actions drew attention as Kimmel described Kirk’s death as a “senseless murder” and criticized former President Donald Trump and his supporters for their reactions to the incident.
Despite the uproar, Kimmel did not issue an apology upon his return but acknowledged that his comments might have seemed “ill-timed or unclear.” He reiterated the importance of free speech during his emotional comeback episode. Sinclair, recognized for its conservative programming, called for Kimmel to apologize to Kirk’s family and to contribute to Turning Point USA, the nonprofit organization Kirk founded.
Both Sinclair and Nexstar stated that their decisions were influenced by feedback from viewers and advertisers rather than government intervention. Sinclair cited “troubling acts of violence,” including a recent shooting at a Sacramento station, as part of their rationale for increased accountability measures, which they claim Disney has yet to adopt. Disney has opted not to comment on the situation.
The episode aired on September 22 was a rerun of Kimmel’s previous return episode. Viewers must wait until the following night for a new episode, where Kimmel’s response to the ongoing developments surrounding this controversy is anticipated.