In mid-September 2025, a late-night earthquake rattled ABC’s schedule: Jimmy Kimmel’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled off the air after a monologue about the wrenching assassination of Charlie Kirk.
What followed was a drama of ratings, politics and public pressure — a saga that raised questions about free speech, media power, and whether controversy is the ultimate rating booster.
The Moment That Sparked It All
On September 15, 2025, Jimmy Kimmel opened his show with a pointed monologue about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, accusing the “MAGA gang” of rushing to politicize the shooting. He said they were “desperately trying to characterize this kid as anything other than one of them.” He then razzed former President Trump’s response — quipping, “He’s in the fourth stage of grief: construction,” after a reporter asked how Trump was doing.
Within hours, headlines blazed that Jimmy Kimmel had crossed a line. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), led by Trump appointee Brendan Carr, warned ABC that it could face regulatory consequences if it continued to air the monologue. Carr labeled the remarks “truly sick” and suggested ABC could be held accountable for “spreading misinformation.”
Meanwhile, Nexstar and Sinclair, two major ABC affiliate owners, announced they would preempt the show on their local stations, refusing to air Kimmel’s episodes.
On September 17, ABC (owned by Disney) announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be suspended indefinitely. The company framed the move as an attempt to avoid inflaming tensions, calling Kimmel’s comments “ill-timed” and “insensitive.” But critics saw another motive.
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Behind Closed Doors: The Standoff with Disney
Inside Disney, a tense standoff played out. Sources say Jimmy Kimmel met with executives in Los Angeles, but negotiations reached a stalemate. He resisted attempts to tone down his commentary or offer apologies he felt were disingenuous. One insider told The Daily Beast the meeting was “cordial” but “little progress” was made — Kimmel was firm on preserving his voice.
Disney executives, meanwhile, faced mounting pressure — from political leaders, media industry unions, and public backlash. Unions including SAG-AFTRA, WGA, AFM, and IATSE voiced support for Kimmel, denouncing the suspension as censorship.
Public letters, protests, and social media campaigns emerged in support of Jimmy Kimmel. Over 400 artists and media figures signed an open letter urging ABC to reinstate the show and defend freedom of speech.
In the meantime, Disney monitored subscriber reactions. Several reports suggested Disney’s streaming platforms were losing subscribers, potentially tied to frustration over Kimmel’s removal. Some analysts saw the suspension as a PR misstep in a time when media companies are already navigating cancellations and audience fatigue.
Return, Revenge, and Ratings Explosion
On September 22, Disney announced Jimmy Kimmel would return on the upcoming Tuesday (Sept 23) after “thoughtful conversations” with him. ABC framed the decision as one born out of reconciliation, not capitulation.
Despite Disney’s reinstatement, Sinclair and Nexstar continued to withhold broadcasts on many ABC affiliates — preempting the show in roughly 60 U.S. markets.
But that partial blackout only amplified the intrigue. On Sept 23, Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to air. The ratings reaction was immediate and dramatic: preliminary Nielsen data showed 6.26 million viewers, triple Kimmel’s usual episodes. His Tuesday monologue video on YouTube alone garnered 15.9 million views in under 24 hours and later exceeded 21 million views.
In his Sept 25 monologue, Jimmy Kimmel leaned into it. He thanked Donald Trump sarcastically, saying, “We couldn’t have done it without you, Mr. President,” for the spike. He bristled against continued preemptions, joked about moving to Brooklyn to dodge FCC interference, and trolled Trump with a gag about an escalator incident.
Industry observations note that Trump’s public criticism of Kimmel only gave the show more attention — not fewer eyes. Shows like South Park and Colbert reportedly saw secondary boosts amid the controversy.
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Why Jimmy Kimmel Was “Canceled” — And Why It Didn’t Last
Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension was more than just fallout from a bold monologue. He became a lightning rod in a fraught moment:
1. Political pressure & the FCC
FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s threats loomed large in the background. The suggestion that ABC affiliates might face regulatory consequences made station owners nervous and raised questions of free speech chilling.
2. Affiliate pushback
Nexstar and Sinclair’s refusals to broadcast Jimmy Kimmel in many markets deprived ABC of coverage and leverage. Their decisions appeared tied, in part, to their broader interests — for example, Nexstar’s pending $6.2 billion merger with Tegna, which requires FCC approval.
(Image Source: People Magazine)
3. Overcorrection and backlash
Disney’s suspension, originally defended as an attempt to de-escalate, faced fierce backlash. Public opinion, industry unions, and creative communities criticized ABC’s move as censorship. The response arguably made reinstatement inevitable.
4. Ratings as leverage
When Kimmel’s return delivered record numbers, ABC and affiliates suddenly had an incentive to relent. The spike in viewership demonstrated that controversy, carefully managed, can translate into money and cultural capital.
Thus, Kimmel’s cancellation was short-lived. The confluence of political threats, affiliate pullout, public uproar, and ratings pressure forced the network to eat its decision.
What Comes Next for Jimmy Kimmel
As Jimmy Kimmel Live! resumes across former blackout markets — Sinclair recently announced it will end its boycott. Nexstar also rejoined, lifting its blackout on Sept 26.
Still, the show remains preempted in many areas while ongoing talks continue between ABC, Disney, and affiliate owners.
Kimmel’s monologues going forward will be closely watched. Will he self-censor or strike at the same boldness that sparked his suspension? His move to broadcast from Brooklyn during reopening week is no accident — it’s a statement about location, audience, and avoiding central control.
The broader media landscape may now be on notice. The suspension and comeback have become a test case: how much editorial freedom a late-night host truly has when politics, broadcast networks, and regulator threats converge.
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