Sinclair Reverses Decision to Pull Jimmy Kimmel’s Show
Sinclair has announced that it will resume broadcasting Jimmy Kimmel’s show on its 38 ABC television channels, following a temporary suspension due to Kimmel’s comments on Charlie Kirk’s murder. The show will return to Sinclair’s ABC partners on Friday evening, with the broadcast of the show on September 26 being a repeat of the show on Tuesday, featuring Kimmel’s return after ABC temporarily suspended it.
Background on the Controversy
The controversy began when Kimmel made comments about the "Maga gang" trying to score political points about the suspect charged with Kirk’s murder. This led to Sinclair and another large station group, Nexstar, pulling Kimmel’s show from their ABC partners. Sinclair had demanded that Kimmel apologize to Kirk’s family and make a "meaningful" personal donation to Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA.
Nexstar’s Decision
Nexstar, which had also pulled Kimmel’s show from its 32 ABC partners, has not yet announced when it will resume broadcasting the show. However, in a statement, Nexstar said that it is having "productive discussions" with Disney, the parent company of ABC, to ensure that the program "reflects and respects the diverse interests of the communities" it serves.
Sinclair’s Statement
In a statement, Sinclair said that its goal is to ensure that programming is "received exactly and for the greatest possible audience." The company stated that it takes its responsibility as a local broadcaster seriously and aims to provide programming that serves the interests of its communities while honoring its obligations to air network programming.
Community Feedback and Proposed Measures
Sinclair received feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders, representing a wide range of perspectives. The company also witnessed disturbing acts of violence, including a notable incident at an ABC partner station in Sacramento. In its discussions with ABC, Sinclair proposed measures to strengthen accountability, viewer feedback, and community dialogue, including a network-wide independent ombudsman.
Commitment to Serving Communities
Sinclair emphasized its commitment to serving its communities with programming that reflects their priorities, earns their trust, and promotes constructive dialogue. The company looks forward to continuing to work with ABC to deliver content that serves a wide range of its communities.
Reversal of Decision
The reversal of Sinclair’s decision to pull Kimmel’s show comes after the company announced on September 17 that it would prevent the show from airing indefinitely. This decision was made after Kimmel’s comments about the suspect charged with Kirk’s murder. The show’s return is seen as a significant development, especially after ABC announced that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" would be suspended indefinitely.
Ratings and Boycotts
Despite the boycotts by Sinclair and Nexstar, Kimmel’s show delivered high TV ratings, with the episode featuring his return being one of the highest-rated episodes of all time. The show’s suspension and subsequent return have sparked a lot of interest and debate, with many viewers tuning in to see how Kimmel would address the controversy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sinclair’s decision to resume broadcasting Jimmy Kimmel’s show is a significant development in the controversy surrounding Kimmel’s comments on Charlie Kirk’s murder. The company’s commitment to serving its communities and providing programming that reflects their priorities is evident in its decision to bring back the show. As the situation continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how Kimmel and Disney respond to the demands made by Sinclair and other station groups.
