Sinclair’s ABC Stations will end its preemption of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ and put it back on air tonight

Sinclair Broadcast Group announced Friday it will allow “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to air on its ABC affiliates, ending a week-long blackout of the late-night show.

The decision, effective Friday evening, follows Disney’s reinstatement of the program earlier this week after Kimmel served a four-day suspension over remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer and President Donald Trump’s supporters.

“Our objective throughout this process has been to ensure that programming remains accurate and engaging for the widest possible audience,” Sinclair said in a statement.

The company, which owns about 40 ABC affiliates nationwide including in Washington, DC, cited viewer and advertiser feedback, as well as “troubling acts of violence,” including a recent shooting at an ABC station in Sacramento, as reasons for reassessing its stance.

“These events underscore why responsible broadcasting matters and why respectful dialogue between differing voices remains so important,” the company said.

The broadcaster stressed that its initial decision to preempt Kimmel “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 said.

“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.”

Nexstar Media Group, which also pulled the show from its 30 ABC affiliates, has not said whether it will follow Sinclair in restoring Kimmel.

Sinclair concluded its statement by reaffirming its mission to serve local communities with content “that reflects their priorities, earns their trust, and promotes constructive dialogue.”

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.