Nexstar Broadcasting has decided that, despite the return of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following an indefinite suspension by ABC, it will continue to not air the show.
On Monday, ABC announced it will reinstate Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show after he was suspended in the wake of criticism over the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Sinclair announced Monday that it would not air Kimmel’s show when it returns and would broadcast news programming in place of it.
Earlier today, Nexstar Broadcasting announced that it too would be preempting the show, standing by its decision to pull the show last week from ABC affiliates.
Nexstar released a statement on its decision, saying that “We made a decision last week to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s “ill-timed and insensitive” comments at a critical time in our national discourse.”
The company went on to say that “We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”
Nexstar also noted that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will still be available on other national and local stations, as well as Disney-owned streaming services, but that their stations “will focus on continuing to produce local news and other programming relevant to their respective markets.”
Nexstar Broadcasting is the parent company of Ozarks First and KOLR-10 in Springfield.
Photo courtesy of Nexstar Media Group, Inc.