Nexstar Resumes Airing 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' After Weeklong Suspension

Resumption of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

• 📺 Nexstar Media Group has announced that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will return to its ABC affiliates nationwide starting Friday night.
• 🚫 This decision follows a weeklong suspension of the show due to comments made by Kimmel about Charlie Kirk.

Network and Affiliate Decisions

• 📰 Both Nexstar and ABC issued separate statements confirming the show's return to dozens of ABC affiliates across the country.
• 🗣️ Legal expert Jessica Levinson noted that ABC and Nexstar are comfortable with Kimmel continuing to criticize political figures, as is common for late-night hosts.
• 📈 Kimmel's return episode on Tuesday, September 17th, achieved record-breaking ratings, averaging 6.26 million viewers, which was three times greater than his average episode.

Political Reactions and Public Pressure

• 📢 Jimmy Kimmel attributed the spike in viewership to President Trump, who had criticized Kimmel's broadcast return on Truth Social, calling his content "Democrat garbage."
• 🗳️ The decision to resume airing the show is also influenced by public pressure, including subscription cancellations and public expression of views.
• 🤝 Nexstar stated they had constructive discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company and appreciate their approach to addressing concerns.
• 🚫 Nexstar also clarified that decisions made throughout this process were independent of any external influence from government agencies or individuals.

Nexstar's Business Context

• 💰 Nexstar recently announced an agreement to acquire rival broadcast company Tegna for $6.2 billion, a merger that requires FCC approval.
• 🗓️ The show airing on Friday night on Nexstar affiliates will be a rerun from the September 16th episode, which was Kimmel's return after his suspension.