This Maryland TV Station Still Won't Air Jimmy Kimmel

While Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to television across Maryland on Tuesday, not all stations are on board with the move.

ABC, which suspended Kimmel's show last Wednesday following criticism of his comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, announced Monday that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would return after the network had “thoughtful conversations” with the host.

But two groups of ABC affiliates that denounced Kimmel last week said they would not carry his return.

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."

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Sinclair owns 39 ABC stations, including WJLA in Washington, D.C., according to its website. While not based in Maryland, WJLA covers and broadcasts in the state's D.C. suburbs.

However, Kimmel fans will still be able to catch his show on ABC affiliate WMAR-TV in Baltimore, which is owned by the E. W. Scripps Co.

Nexstar Media Group also said it would continue to preempt the show, “pending assurances that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”

Nexstar does not own any ABC stations in Maryland, according to its website.

Sinclair and Nexstar collectively control about a quarter of ABC affiliates nationwide.

ABC suspended Kimmel indefinitely after comments he made in a monologue last week that 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.

Kirk, 31, was shot and killed Sept. 10 during a speaking tour stop at Utah Valley University.

Trump-appointed Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr last week said it appeared that Kimmel was trying to “directly mislead the American public” with his remarks about Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Utah man charged with Kirk's killing, and his motives. Those motives remain unclear. Authorities say Robinson grew up in a conservative family, but his mother told investigators his son had turned left politically in the last year.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said before ABC announced the suspension. “These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.

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.

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.

Last week, Sinclair said 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."

The Associated Press and Patch editors Anna Schier and Eric DeGrechie contributed to this report.