Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Back On After ‘Thoughtful Discussions,’ Network Says

UPDATE: This CA TV Station Still Won't Air Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel will soon return to the airwaves.

The Walt Disney Co. announced Monday that the ABC late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will return to production Tuesday. Production of the show was suspended last week following the host's comments about President Donald Trump's reaction to shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

"Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country," according to a Disney statement issued Monday. "It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. 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."

• Read more: Jimmy Kimmel Firestorm: 6 Things To Know About The Controversy

Disney's announcement 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.

ABC announced last week it was at least temporarily pulling the plug on production on its late-night staple, which has aired since 2004.

In the opening monologue of Monday night's 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."

On Wednesday, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, addressed Kimmel's remarks during a podcast appearance.

“This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney,” Carr said, according to NBC News. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is 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 Broadcast Group — said they would pull the show from their stations, which represent 66 of the 230 that air ABC programming.

Hours after the FCC chairman made his comments, ABC announced it was pulling the plug on Kimmel's show "indefinitely." Network executives did not explain the decision.

It was unclear if all ABC affiliates will resume airing the program. Sinclair said last week its stations 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."

Kimmel’s suspension arrived in a time when Trump and his administration have pursued threats, lawsuits and federal government pressure to try to exert more control over the media industry.

Trump has reached settlements with ABC and CBS over their coverage.

Trump has also filed defamation lawsuits against The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Republicans in Congress stripped federal funding from NPR and PBS.

Both Disney and Nexstar have FCC business ahead of them. Disney is seeking regulatory approval for ESPN’s acquisition of the NFL Network, and Nexstar needs the Trump administration’s blessing to complete its $6.2 billion purchase of broadcast rival Tegna.

Kimmel's suspension prompted swift condemnation and protests, including from fellow late night host Stephen Colbert, who called Kimmel's suspension a "blatant assault on freedom of speech".

Google searches for "cancel Disney Plus" and "cancel Hulu" spiked in recent days amid calls posted on social media for people to boycott Disney's streaming services, Business Insider reported.

Meantime, 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.

A group of Southland Democratic lawmakers gathered there Monday morning, just hours before Disney's announcement.

"The reason that this should concern all Americans is that this administration's actions could threaten speech for both conservatives and liberals," Rep. Laura Friedman, D-Los Angeles, said.

Hollywood creatives were among those calling for a boycott. Damon Lindelof, creator of ABC’s “Lost,” said he would not work with the company if Kimmel's suspension was not lifted, NBC News reported. Lindelof is set to work on an upcoming "Star Wars" project, one of Disney's most valuable franchises.

Hundreds of Hollywood and Broadway stars — including Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep — urged Americans “fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights” in the wake of Jimmy Kimmel's suspension.

More than 430 movie, TV and stage stars as well as comedians, directors and writers added their names to an open letter Monday from the American Civil Liberties Union that argues it is “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.”

The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report.