The two major television broadcasting companies that had blocked “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from airing have decided to lift their blackout on American televisions nationwide.
Sinclair’s decision came on Friday morning, after the late-night host returned to the screen Tuesday following Disney-owned ABC’s decision to indefinitely suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s show for comments he made last week surrounding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Nexstar Media Group Inc., which owns a significant portion of local ABC stations, including ABC4 in Utah, lifted its boycott on the show late Friday afternoon.
“Our objective throughout this process has been to ensure that programming remains accurate and engaging for the widest possible audience. We take seriously our responsibility as local broadcasters to provide programming that serves the interests of our communities, while also honoring our obligations to air national network programming,” Sinclair said in a press release.
The statement continued, “Our decision to preempt this program was independent of any government interaction or influence. Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations. While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content.”
The show’s return brought staggering ratings following the controversy and suspension.
Nexstar also released a statement:
“We have had discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company and appreciate their constructive approach to addressing our concerns. As a local broadcaster, Nexstar remains committed to protecting the First Amendment while producing and airing local and national news that is fact-based and unbiased and, above all, broadcasting content that is in the best interest of the communities we serve,” the press release said.
“We stand apart from cable television, monolithic streaming services, and national networks in our commitment — and obligation — to be stewards of the public airwaves and to protect and reflect the specific sensibilities of our communities. To be clear, our commitment to those principles has guided our decisions throughout this process, independent of any external influence from government agencies or individuals," it continued.
This was a change from its initial statement on Tuesday, when the broadcasting company stood firm in continuing to preempt the Kimmel show for his “ill-timed and insensitive” comments.
Last week, Kimmel said, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
He also made fun of President Donald Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s assassination.
Kimmel’s return and TPUSA’s reaction
When he returned to his show on Tuesday following the controversy, Kimmel gave an 18-minute monologue.
“The truth is, I don’t think what I have to say is going to make much of a difference. If you like me you like me and if you don’t you don’t,” he said. “I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind. But I do want to make something clear because it’s important to me as a human, and that is that you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.”
Kimmel also shared that he was moved by Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk’s, comments she made during her husband’s memorial service last Sunday.
“Erika Kirk forgave the man who shot her husband,” he said. “She forgave him. That is an example we should follow. If you believe in the teachings of Jesus as I do, there it was. That’s it. A selfless act of grace. Forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply, and I hope it touches many, and if there’s anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward I hope it can be that, not this.”
Though Turning Point USA spokesman and executive producer of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” Andrew Kolvet, was not pleased enough with the apology and shared his thoughts on social media.