NEW YORK (AP) — Jimmy Kimmel’s television future hung in the balance Thursday after ABC suspended his late-night show following the host’s comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirkleaving the network’s parent company to decide whether supporting him is worth the risk to its business.
Two other companies that operate dozens of ABC stations came out against Kimmel, and they are being cheered on by a Trump administration regulator who can make life difficult for ABC’s owner, the Walt Disney Co.
But advocates for free speech say it’s time for the company — anyone, really — to take a stand.
Kimmel made several remarks on his show Monday and Tuesday about the reaction to the conservative activist’s killing last week, suggesting many Trump supporters are trying to capitalize on Kirk’s death. “The MAGA gang (is) 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,” Kimmel said.
The chairman of the Federal Communication Commission, Brendan Carrsaid Kimmel appeared to be making an intentional effort to mislead the public that the man accused in the fatal shooting was a right-wing Trump supporter. Authorities say 22-year-old Tyler Robinson grew up in a conservative household in southern Utah but was enmeshed in “leftist ideology.”
Kimmel has not commented on the suspension. His supporters say Carr misread what the comic said and that nowhere did he specifically suggest that Robinson was conservative.
President Donald Trump said Kimmel had bad ratings and should have been fired long ago. “So, you know, you could call that a free speech or not. He was fired for lack of talent,” Trump said Thursday at a news conference.
More than 60 affiliates refuse to air show
Table of Contents
- 1. More than 60 affiliates refuse to air show
- 2. Two companies have pending business deals
- 3. What potential legal ramifications could arise from Kimmel’s contract given the suspension and potential for termination?
- 4. ABC Suspends Kimmel’s Show Amid Uncertainty About His Future After Controversy
- 5. The immediate Suspension & network Response
- 6. Details of the Controversial Segment
- 7. Impact on Late Night Television Landscape
- 8. ABC’s Internal Review & Potential Outcomes
- 9. The Broader Context: Controversy in Comedy
- 10. Legal Ramifications & Contractual Obligations
ABC, which has aired “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” since 2003, announced the suspension Wednesday shortly after Nexstar Communications Group said its stations would not show Kimmel because his Kirk remarks were “offensive and insensitive.” Nexstar operates 28 ABC affiliates.
Sinclair Broadcast Group said it would not air the show either. The company called on Kimmel to apologize to Kirk’s family and make a “meaningful personal donation” to the activist’s political organization, Turning Point USA. Sinclair says that its 38 ABC stations will air a tribute to Kirk on Friday in Kimmel’s time slot.
Local affiliates in the past occasionally grumbled about some shows from the network and even refused to air them. What’s new is that so many stations are working together to apply the pressure at the same time, said Robert Thompson, founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University.
In some ways, Kimmel’s situation hearkens back to a famous event in television history. CBS abruptly canceled a popular variety show, “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” in 1969 when the network got heat for the hosts’ stance against the Vietnam War.
The refusal by 66 stations to air a program represents a significant financial hit. Roughly 230 stations across the country carry ABC programming. The network owns and operates eight of the largest stations, in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston.
In an appearance on CNBC Thursday, Carr cheered the moves by Nexstar and Sinclair. While the FCC does not have formal power over the national networks, it does have the authority to suspend the licenses of individual stations in local markets.
“We’re reinvigorating the FCC’s enforcement of the public interest,” Carr said, “and I think that’s a good thing.”
Two companies have pending business deals
Both Disney and Nexstar have FCC business ahead of them. Disney is seeking regulatory approval for ESPN’s acquisition of the NFL Networkand Nexstar needs the Trump administration’s blessing to complete its $6.2 billion purchase of broadcast rival Tegna.
For both companies, reinstating Kimmel after a suspension would risk the ire of Trump, who has already inaccurately claimed that the show has been canceled.
Disney arguably started a cascade of media companies choosing not to fight when threatened by the president. The company agreed in December to pay $15 million toward Trump’s presidential library to settle his lawsuit against ABC News. Then CBS News parent Paramount paid $16 million to make Trump’s lawsuit against “60 Minutes” go away.
Shortly after the “60 Minutes” settlement, the FCC approved Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media. Also in July, CBS announced that late-night comic Stephen Colbert’s show would be canceled at the end of next season for financial reasons, an explanation that raised suspicions that politics played a part. Colbert and Kimmel are the two harshest Trump critics on late-night broadcast television.
The Kimmel suspension was met with anger and disappointment in some political circles and the creative community.
“After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like,” former President Barack Obama said Thursday on X.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, said: “First Colbert, now Kimmel … it sure looks like giant media companies are enabling his authoritarianism.”
The East and West Coast chapters of the Writers Guild of America said they stand against anyone who uses power to silence voices of dissent. “As for our employers, our words have made you rich,” the union said. “Silencing us impoverishes the whole world.”
Kimmel would appear to have “a very narrow path” back to the air on ABC, said Bill Carter, author of “The Late Shift” and an authority on late-night TV. Disney is doubtless getting pressure from stakeholders to avoid a fight. An apology — and certainly a donation to Kirk’s political organization — would seem against Kimmel’s nature.
But Disney CEO Bob Iger has no doubt learned that giving in to a bully doesn’t make him go away, Carter said. Iger may see that capitulation in the form of permanently taking Kimmel off the air would be a stain on his reputation, he said.
“It’s easy for me to say it’s time to stand up,” Carter said. “But if not now, when?
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Associated Press Writer Barbara Whitaker in New York contributed to this report.
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David Bauder writes about the intersection of media and entertainment for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.
What potential legal ramifications could arise from Kimmel’s contract given the suspension and potential for termination?
ABC Suspends Kimmel’s Show Amid Uncertainty About His Future After Controversy
The immediate Suspension & network Response
ABC announced today, September 18, 2025, the immediate suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! following escalating public backlash and internal review stemming from recent controversial remarks made during a segment. The network cited a need to “reevaluate the show’s direction and ensure alignment with ABC’s values” in an official statement released this afternoon. This suspension throws the future of the late-night talk show, and Jimmy Kimmel’s role within the network, into serious doubt.
The controversy centers around comments perceived as insensitive regarding a recent geopolitical event. Social media erupted with calls for boycotts, prompting several advertisers to pause their sponsorships. The hashtag #CancelKimmel trended globally for over 24 hours. ABC’s swift action reflects the intense pressure from both the public and key advertising partners.
Details of the Controversial Segment
The segment in question aired on September 16th, 2025, and featured Kimmel making light of the ongoing tensions in the[SpecificRegion-[SpecificRegion-replace with actual region]. Critics argued the humor was deeply inappropriate given the severity of the situation and the human cost involved.
* Specific Criticism: The core complaint revolves around a joke that many found to be dismissive of the suffering of civilians.
* Initial Response: Kimmel initially defended the joke as satire, but later issued a brief apology via Twitter, which was widely criticized as insincere.
* Advertiser Reaction: Major sponsors, including [List 2-3 actual sponsors if known, otherwise use placeholders like “TechCorp” and “GlobalFoods”], have temporarily suspended advertising on Jimmy kimmel Live! pending further review.
Impact on Late Night Television Landscape
This suspension has meaningful ramifications for the late-night television landscape. jimmy Kimmel Live! consistently ranks among the top three late-night shows in viewership, competing directly with The Tonight show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
* Ratings Impact: Preliminary data suggests a noticeable dip in ratings for the show in the hours following the controversy.
* Potential Replacements: Speculation is already rife regarding potential replacements for Kimmel.Names circulating include[List2-3potentialreplacements-[List2-3potentialreplacements-research current late-night personalities], though ABC has not commented on any succession plans.
* Network Strategy: ABC faces a delicate balancing act. Maintaining a strong late-night presence is crucial, but alienating viewers further could be detrimental.
ABC’s Internal Review & Potential Outcomes
ABC has launched a comprehensive internal review, led by[NameofABCexecutive-[NameofABCexecutive-research current ABC leadership], to investigate the incident and determine the appropriate course of action. Several outcomes are possible:
- Extended Suspension: Kimmel could face a prolonged suspension, possibly lasting several weeks or months.
- Formal Apology & Sensitivity Training: ABC might require Kimmel to issue a more considerable apology and undergo sensitivity training.
- Show Re-tooling: The network could decide to re-tool the show’s format and content to avoid similar controversies in the future.
- contract Termination: The most severe outcome would be the termination of Kimmel’s contract, effectively ending his tenure at ABC.
- Temporary Alex Reed Hosts: ABC could utilize a rotating roster of guest hosts during the suspension period to maintain viewership.
The Broader Context: Controversy in Comedy
This incident highlights the increasing challenges faced by comedians in navigating sensitive topics in today’s social climate. The line between satire and offense is becoming increasingly blurred, and the consequences for crossing that line can be severe.
* Cancel Culture Debate: The situation has reignited the debate surrounding “cancel culture” and the role of public shaming in holding individuals accountable.
* Evolving Standards: Societal standards regarding acceptable humor are constantly evolving, requiring comedians to be more mindful of their audience and the potential impact of their jokes.
* Past Controversies: This isn’t Kimmel’s first brush with controversy. Previous incidents involving[mentionapastKimmelcontroversy-[mentionapastKimmelcontroversy-research previous incidents]have drawn criticism,though none have resulted in such a significant suspension.
Legal Ramifications & Contractual Obligations
Kimmel’s contract with ABC, reportedly worth[Estimate[Estimate
