Jimmy Kimmel is back. After a week of suspension following his controversial comments about Charlie Kirk, Disney and ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return this week. But in nearly 40 markets across the U.S., viewers won’t see it, because Sinclair Broadcast Group is refusing to air the show.
Sinclair, one of the nation’s largest broadcasters, owns dozens of ABC affiliates. The company announced it will not carry Jimmy Kimmel Live! until Kimmel issues a formal apology to Charlie Kirk’s family and makes a “meaningful personal donation” both to the family and to Kirk’s political organization, Turning Point USA.
According to Sinclair executives, Kimmel’s suspension wasn’t enough. They’ve set their own terms for bringing him back:
- Public Apology: Sinclair wants Kimmel to issue a direct, formal statement to Kirk’s family, addressing his comments during the monologue.
- Donation to Family & Turning Point USA: They want him to write a check to both Kirk’s family and to the conservative group Kirk founded.
- “Accountability” Agreement: Sinclair has hinted that ABC must also show a broader commitment to professionalism in its programming going forward.
Until those conditions are met, Sinclair says their ABC affiliates will replace Kimmel’s timeslot with local news or other programming.
If you live in a city where your ABC affiliate is owned by Sinclair, you won’t see Jimmy Kimmel when he returns. Viewers in those markets will either see extra local news coverage or alternate late-night shows instead.
But this blackout only affects Sinclair markets. If your ABC station is owned by another company like Nexstar, Hearst, or Gray, the show will air normally.
Even if Sinclair blocks the show in your area, there are still several ways to watch:
- Hulu: Every episode is available the next day, but your Hulu should be canceled.
- ABC App & Website: Stream episodes if you have a TV provider login.
- Non-Sinclair ABC Affiliates: If your local station isn’t Sinclair-owned, you’ll see Kimmel on TV as usual.
- Streaming Live TV Services: Platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream typically carry ABC in markets where Sinclair doesn’t control the feed.
How Viewers Can Push Back Against Sinclair
Many viewers see Sinclair’s move as an overreach, using its power as an affiliate to influence national programming. For those who want to push back, here are strategies that can make an impact:
- Identify Your Station
Look up your local ABC affiliate and see if Sinclair owns it. If it does, consider switching to a streaming option. - Cut The Cord
Services like YouTube TV, or DirecTV Stream let you bypass Sinclair altogether while still getting ABC programming. - Don’t Support Sinclair Newscasts
Sinclair relies heavily on local news ratings. If you don’t tune in, their influence weakens. - Contact Advertisers
Let advertisers know how you feel about Sinclair’s decision. Brands don’t like controversy tied to their airtime. - Support Independent Media
Investing your time and viewership in outlets outside Sinclair keeps your support aligned with networks and broadcasters that don’t impose political conditions on programming.
This isn’t just about Jimmy Kimmel. Affiliate stations typically air network shows without interference. Sinclair’s demands: requiring a late-night host to apologize and pay money before airing, are unusual and raise questions about how much control local broadcasters should have over national content.
