Disney's ABC has taken Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show off its schedule indefinitely, following a decision by Nexstar Media, one of the largest US TV station owners, to pre-empt the programme after remarks the host made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Nexstar said Wednesday that it 'strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.' In his Monday monologue, Kimmel said the 'MAGA gang' was trying to score political points off Kirk's murder, and poked fun at President Trump's response to a question about mourning Kirk's death.
Kirk was shot and killed on 10 September at a debate at Utah Valley University; authorities arrested a suspect three days later. Disney's move is likely to inflame partisanship, with conservatives viewing Kirk as a hero and some liberals criticising his stances. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr thanked Nexstar for 'doing the right thing' after Disney's decision, saying local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest.
Sinclair, another conservative-leaning station group, also said its ABC affiliates would pull Kimmel's show until it is confident standards are upheld. Nexstar owns 32 ABC stations in markets including New Orleans, Salt Lake City and Nashville; Sinclair has 38 ABC affiliates. Without national distribution, ratings for Kimmel would sink, affecting advertising revenue—ABC generated about $76.6 million from the show in 2024.
Free-speech advocates condemned the suspension. Christopher Anders of the American Civil Liberties Union said Kimmel is 'the latest target of the Trump administration's unconstitutional plan to silence its critics,' calling the move 'beyond McCarthyism.' Disney's decision highlights how traditional media companies are wary of White House and FCC pressure, as President Trump has recently sued ABC News and CBS News over comments by anchors.
