“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Returning to ABC After Six-Day Suspension

On September 15, 2025, Jimmy Kimmel made remarks during his monologue about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist. In particular, he said that some in “MAGA land” were trying to characterize the suspect as not being “one of them,” and accused them of politically capitalizing on the tragedy.

The comments drew swift backlash from conservative figures, several major ABC affiliates, and the FCC chair, Brendan Carr, who threatened regulatory action. In the face of mounting controversy, ABC (owned by Disney) suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely on September 17.

The Return Announcement

ABC and Disney have announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to air on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, ending the suspension after six days.

Disney released a statement saying:

“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.”

They also reiterated that Kimmel’s comments were considered “ill-timed and thus insensitive,” which was part of the reason for the temporary suspension.

Affiliate Resistance & Broadcast Reach

Despite the reinstatement, not all ABC affiliates will air Kimmel’s returning episode:

• Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns many ABC stations, has announced that its affiliates will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! when it returns, instead of replacing it with news programming.
• Nexstar Media Group, another major ABC affiliate owner, has not confirmed whether it will resume airing the show.

These preemptions impact how many viewers across the U.S. will actually see the episode.

Public & Industry Reactions

• There has been considerable outcry over the suspension, especially from entertainers, free speech advocates, and the media. More than 400 celebrities signed an open letter, organized by the ACLU, defending Kimmel and warning about censorship.
• Consumer reaction included cancellations of Disney+ subscriptions and protests. Some in Hollywood and the entertainment industry saw the suspension as an overcorrection in response to political pressure.

What’s Unclear & What to Expect

• Whether Kimmel will issue an apology in his return episode is not confirmed. Disney did not require a public apology in its statement.
• It remains to be seen if Kimmel or ABC will adjust future content or monologues under the heightened scrutiny, especially regarding political issues.
• Also uncertain is how the show’s reach will be restored (if Sinclair still refuses) and how this will affect ratings or advertiser support.

You might also want to read: ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Live! Indefinitely After Controversial Remarks on Charlie Kirk Killing