Upstate New Yorkers can watch “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” again as the two companies electing not to air the show have reversed their decision.
Sinclair Broadcasting Group and Nexstar Media Group refused to air the first few episodes of the talk show’s return last week despite Disney and ABC ending Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, following remarks the late-show host made about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
But as of Friday, Sept. 26, the seven New York stations affected by the temporary preemption, including 13WHAM in Rochester, once again have access to the show, USA TODAY reported.
Here’s what to know.
What did the companies say?
In a Friday announcement, Nexstar said it has had discussions with Disney executives and appreciates their “constructive approach to addressing our concerns.” The company said its decision was not influenced by government agencies or external individuals.
“As a local broadcaster, Nexstar remains committed to protecting the First Amendment while producing and airing local and national news that is fact-based and unbiased and, above all, broadcasting content that is in the best interest of the communities we serve,” the company said.
Ahead of Nexstar’s announcement, Sinclair said it would air the talk show after addressing feedback from viewers, advertisers and community leaders.
“Our objective throughout this process has been to ensure that programming remains accurate and engaging for the widest possible audience,” Sinclair said in the announcement Friday. “We take seriously our responsibility as local broadcasters to provide programming that serves the interests of our communities, while also honoring our obligations to air national network programming.”
Sinclair also said it has proposed measures that would “strengthen accountability, viewer feedback, and community dialogue” but that ABC and Disney has not yet adopted those measures.
No editorial or content concessions were made in Sinclair’s decision, according to a source familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly.
The company also dismissed concerns that the ABC suspension and Sinclair’s refusal to air the show was an example of the Trump administration infringing on freedom of speech.
“Our decision to preempt this program was independent of any government interaction or influence. Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations,” Sinclair added. “While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content.”
What happened?
The Kimmel controversy erupted Sept. 17, when FCC chairman Brendan Carr seemingly threatened ABC, its owner, Disney, and Kimmel over comments the host made during his Sept. 15 monologue about Charlie Kirk’s slaying. “This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said on a YouTube episode of commentator Benny Johnson’s show.
“There’s calls for Kimmel to be fired,” Carr added. “I think you could certainly see a path forward for suspension over this.”
In his Sept. 15 monologue, Kimmel said: “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.” The man accused of shooting Kirk has been identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, whose mother said that despite being raised in a conservative home, his politics had moved to the left in recent years.
Kimmel also made fun of President Trump.
“In between the finger-pointing, there was, uh, grieving,” Kimmel continued. “On Friday, the White House flew the flags at half-staff, which got some criticism, but on a human level, you can see how hard the president is taking this.”
He then showed a clip of Trump talking to reporters. Trump was asked how he was doing, personally, following the death of his ally Kirk. Trump responded, “I think very good,” before diverting attention to construction of the White House ballroom he is having built.
“Yes, he’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction,” Kimmel said. “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend; this is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish, OK?”
Sinclair vice chairman Jason Smith said Kimmel’s remarks “were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country.”
Afterward, Sinclair and another TV station owner, Nexstar Media Group, announced they would preempt the show on their stations. ABC then shut down production but brought the show back less than a week later.
Contributing: USA TODAY Network
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Jimmy Kimmel returns to NY airwaves after suspension dispute
Reporting by Emily Barnes and Anthony Robledo, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
