This CA TV Station Still Won't Air Jimmy Kimmel

EUREKA, CA — Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to televisions across California on Tuesday after his show was suspended last week in response to the comedian’s comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

But one market in the Golden State won’t be able to tune in to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

Broadcaster Sinclair Inc. announced late Monday on social media that it would not air the talk show on its ABC stations.

“Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming,” the company said in a post on X. “Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”

Sinclair owns 39 ABC stations, including one in California: ABC23 in Eureka, according to its website.

It also owns KBAK and KBFX (Fox 58) in Bakersfield; KFRE (The CW 59) and KMPH (Fox 26) in Fresno; KKTF in Chico; and KBVU (Fox 28), KECA-LD (The CW 29), and KEUV-LP (Univision 31) in Eureka.

READ MORE:

• Jimmy Kimmel's Show Suspended By ABC Over Comments About Charlie Kirk
• Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Back On After ‘Thoughtful Discussions,’ Network Says

Nexstar Media Group, which also said its television stations would not air the show last week in response to Kimmel's remarks, announced Tuesday morning that it would continue keeping the show off its stations.

"We made a decision last week to preempt 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel's 'ill-timed and insensitive' comments at a critical time in our national discourse. We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve," the company said in a statement.

Nexstar does not own any ABC affiliates in California.

It owns KTLA in Los Angeles; KRON in San Francisco; KTXL (Fox 49) in Sacramento; KSWB (Fox 5) and KUSI in San Diego; KSEE and KGPE in Fresno; and KGET and KKEY-LD in Bakersfield.

Disney suspended the show to “avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” the company said in a statement Monday.

In the opening monologue of his Sept. 15 show, Kimmel focused on the reaction to the assassination of Kirk.

"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,” Kimmel said.

Authorities say Tyler Robinson, 22, who is charged with killing Kirk, grew up in a conservative household in southern Utah but was enmeshed in “leftist ideology.” His parents told investigators he had turned politically left and pro-LGBTQ rights in the last year. Utah records show he was registered as a voter, but not affiliated with either political party. His voter status is inactive, meaning he did not vote in two regular general elections.

On Wednesday, conservative podcaster Benny Johnson posted an interview with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr on X in which Carr described Kimmel's behavior as "some of the sickest conduct possible" and said it was "past time" for licensed broadcasters to push back and not run Kimmel's show.

"I mean, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way," Carr told Johnson. "These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or, you know, there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead."

Subsequently, two of the biggest corporate owners of ABC affiliate stations — Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair — said they would pull the show from their stations, which represent 66 of the 230 that air ABC programming.

Sinclair said last week it would not air "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on any of its stations until "formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network's commitment to professionalism and accountability."

The company also called upon Kimmel to "issue a direct apology to the Kirk family. Furthermore, we ask Mr. Kimmel to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA."

There was no immediate comment Monday from Nexstar on its plans for Kimmel's return.

Disney's announcement Monday comes after its decision to pull Kimmel off the air served as a flashpoint for free speech.

The suspension was celebrated by President Donald Trump, who said it was "great news for America," and suggested federal regulators should revoke broadcast licenses over late-night hosts who speak negatively about him.

But Kimmel's suspension also prompted swift condemnation, including from fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert, who called the suspension a "blatant assault on freedom of speech.” Protests have been held outside Disney's studio lot in Burbank and outside the El Capitan Entertainment Complex on Hollywood Boulevard, where Kimmel's show is based.

The Associated Press, City News Service and Patch staffer Chris Lindahl contributed to this story.