No. Sinclair Broadcast Group asked Jimmy Kimmel to apologize to Charlie Kirk’s family and make a personal donation, but Disney/ABC did not publicly say either was required to bring Jimmy Kimmel Live! back. Sinclair was discussing whether its own affiliated stations would carry the show; ABC’s network suspension and return were separate decisions.
What did Sinclair ask Kimmel to do?
In a statement reported by TV Tech on September 18, 2025, Sinclair said its stations would preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! and that it would not lift that preemption until it had formal discussions with ABC about the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![Late Night (DVD) [2019]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41HtoWbZaiL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Late Night (DVD) [2019] | $16.20 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Late Last Night [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xYeIxjzbL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Late Last Night [DVD] | $29.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Late Night Shopping | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
90s Night In - 8-Movie Set - Threesome - Wilder Napalm - Go! - The Velocity of Gary - Hexed - Jersey... | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Late Night with Conan O'Brien 10th Anniversary Special | $5.50 | Buy on Amazon |
Separately, Sinclair urged Kimmel to “issue a direct apology to the Kirk family” and make a “meaningful personal donation” to the Kirk family and Turning Point USA. The statement did not specify an amount. Sinclair vice chairman Jason Smith said broadcasters had a responsibility to “educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities.”
Those were Sinclair’s requests. They were not publicly stated by Disney/ABC as conditions for ending the network-level suspension.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
Why did ABC suspend the show, and what changed?
Disney said it had suspended production to avoid further inflaming a tense situation and because it considered some of Kimmel’s comments ill-timed and insensitive. On September 22, Disney said it had held “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel and decided the show would return on Tuesday. Its announcement did not identify an apology or donation as a condition of the decision, according to ABC News.
Kimmel returned on September 23, 2025. In his monologue, he said, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” He said he had not meant to blame a particular group, acknowledged that some viewers found his remarks unclear or ill-timed, and said the shooter did not represent anyone, ABC News reported.
Rank #2
Did every ABC affiliate carry the show when it returned?
No. ABC’s decision to resume the program did not require each local affiliate to air it. ABC News reported on September 23, 2025, that Sinclair continued to preempt the program on its affiliates and that Nexstar also planned to continue preempting it. That describes the reported situation at the time, not necessarily later carriage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Was a payment made or required?
The public statements cited here do not establish that Kimmel paid the Kirk family or Turning Point USA, nor that ABC required a payment. Sinclair requested a donation; Disney/ABC described its return decision as following conversations with Kimmel. The statements do not disclose private discussions beyond those descriptions.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
