Jimmy Kimmel Live! has returned to its late-night slot on ABC, but some television stations operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group did not air the show for several days. The billion-dollar media conglomerate owns multiple stations affiliated with ABC and announced that Jimmy Kimmel had been “pre-empted” from airing on its channels. So, what is Sinclair, and what is its significance in the television industry?
The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, and Kimmel were in negotiations regarding his return during his week-long suspension. A spokesperson for the company announced on September 22, 2025, “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. 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.”
Below is a breakdown of Sinclair Broadcast Group’s stations, influence on television, and more.
Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return. pic.twitter.com/beGC6VID2x
— Sinclair, Inc. (@WeAreSinclair) September 22, 2025
Where Are Sinclair ABC Stations?
The following list includes some of the markets where Sinclair operates ABC’s stations:
- KOMO: Seattle, Washington
- WJLA: Washington, D.C.
- KDNL: St. Louis, Missouri
- KTUL: Tulsa, Oklahoma
- KATU: Portland
A complete list of Sinclair stations can be found here.
What Stations Are Associated With Sinclair?
In addition to ABC, Sinclair is also affiliated with Fox, NBC, CBS, MyNetworkTV, The CW, and The CW Plus.
Sinclair owns four digital multicast networks: Comet, Charge!, The Nest, and Roar.
Will Sinclair Air Jimmy Kimmel?
Yes, Sinclair has ended its suspension of Kimmel’s show and will begin airing it again as of September 26, 2025. The company did not broadcast the late-night show in its normal time slot for several days.
After ABC confirmed his return to the airwaves, Sinclair announced that it was “preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”
Why Didn’t Sinclair Air Jimmy Kimmel?
In a press release, Sinclair stated it was not airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! because the late-night host made a comment about the suspected shooter of Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson.
“The MAGA Gang (is) 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 during a September 15, 2025 episode of his show. “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
In response, Sinclair’s Vice Chairman Jason Smith called Kimmel’s comments “inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country.”
“We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities,” Smith added. “We appreciate FCC Chairman [Brendan] Carr’s remarks today and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.”
Sinclair added in its press release that it will “not lift the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on [its] stations until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.”
Furthermore, the broadcast group demanded that Kimmel issue a direct apology to Kirk’s family and make a “meaningful personal donation to the Kirk family and Turning Point USA.”
“Regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the program, Sinclair intends not to return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to our air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform,” read the remainder of the news release.
Shortly after Kirk was fatally shot, Kimmel issued a public statement condemning gun violence and sending his condolences to Kirk’s family. His full statement read: “Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?” Kimmel wrote in a message he shared on Instagram. “On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.”
