Sinclair brings back Jimmy Kimmel's show days after Disney cancels his suspension

Sinclair Inc. announced the return of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to its ABC-affiliated stations after Disney lifted the suspension of the show, which had occurred due to Kimmel's controversial comments. The reinstatement followed feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders.

Sinclair's statement emphasized the need for responsible broadcasting and respectful dialogue, particularly in light of recent violent incidents, including a shooting at their Sacramento affiliate.

Nexstar, Sinclair's competitor, chose not to reinstate Kimmel's show on their networks despite having "productive" discussions with Disney, highlighting differing approaches within the broadcasting industry regarding the controversy.

Kimmel's suspension only lasted six days, facing backlash from both conservative and liberal groups, while Disney's decision contributed to a significant number of subscription cancellations reflecting concerns over free speech.

Recommendation Rating: Restored Programming after Controversy

Sinclair Inc. (NASDAQ:SBGI) announced on Friday the return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! to its ABC-affiliated television stations, just three days following Disney (NYSE:DIS) lifting the suspension of the comedian. This decision came after Kimmel made controversial comments related to the late political activist Charlie Kirk.

In their statement, Sinclair remarked, "In the past week, we have received valuable feedback from our viewers, advertisers, and community leaders with diverse perspectives. Moreover, we have been disturbed by violent incidents, such as the recent shooting at our ABC affiliate in Sacramento. These occurrences highlight the importance of responsible broadcasting and the necessity of respectful dialogue among differing viewpoints."

Earlier this week, Nexstar (NASDAQ:NXST), Sinclair's competitor in the television broadcasting landscape, reported they had "productive" discussions with Disney about Kimmel's show but opted to continue preempting it on their ABC-affiliated networks.

Sinclair operates around 40 ABC-affiliated stations across the United States, while Nexstar, the largest local television station operator in the country, operates about 30.

Kimmel's suspension lasted just six days, as both conservative and liberal advocates criticized the action. Furthermore, Disney experienced a notable number of subscription cancellations from users who perceived the suspension as excessive and a potential threat to free speech.