Disney says Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension is over and that he will return to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC. But millions of households across the United States will not be able to watch him when he comes back on September 23.
Two of the largest affiliate groups in the country, Sinclair and Nexstar, are refusing to air the program on their ABC stations. That means viewers in cities like Seattle, Portland, Washington D.C., and New Orleans will not find Kimmel at 11:35 p.m. Instead, they will see late-night news or even a Charlie Kirk tribute special.
Sinclair has been clear about what it wants in order to restore the show. The company is demanding a public apology from Jimmy Kimmel to Charlie Kirk’s family, a donation to the family and to Turning Point USA, and formal accountability talks with ABC about professionalism moving forward. Nexstar has not put forward a list of conditions. It has announced an indefinite preemption of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in response to comments it described as offensive and insensitive. With a $6.2 billion merger with Tegna awaiting FCC approval, Nexstar has every reason to hold firm and present itself as a responsible broadcaster.
The combined effect is significant. Sinclair’s 38 ABC affiliates reach an estimated 17 to 19 million households. Adding Nexstar’s blackout raises the number to nearly 30 million households, close to a quarter of the country. On a show that generates around $46 million a year in advertising revenue, those blackouts could mean $10 to 14 million in lost value annually. That loss is nearly equal to Jimmy Kimmel’s own reported $15 to 16 million salary.
Disney has said it held “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel, acknowledging that some of his remarks were “ill-timed” and “insensitive.” The company has not issued a direct apology to the Kirk family, confirmed a donation, or agreed to Sinclair’s terms. For now, the blackout continues.
Kimmel’s current contract runs through 2026. If these affiliate disputes continue, they could undermine the value of his show and reduce his leverage in future negotiations. Disney may find itself paying a top salary for a host whose reach has been severely limited, while affiliates establish a new precedent that could reshape late-night television.
Disney can say that Jimmy Kimmel is back. The affiliates are proving that in 2025 they still have the final say.
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