The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 17, 2025, and announced its return five days later. The show was back on ABC on September 23, but viewers in some markets still could not watch it on their local affiliate: Nexstar and Sinclair continued preempting it until September 26. The sequence shows why a national network decision does not always settle what appears on local television—and why the cancellation figures and celebrity protest surrounding the episode need careful interpretation.
Why was Jimmy Kimmel suspended?
ABC suspended production of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 17, 2025, after Kimmel’s comments about the reaction to the killing of Charlie Kirk. The decision came amid pressure from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who had warned broadcasters of possible repercussions for airing the program, and moves by major ABC affiliate owners to preempt it.
On September 22, Disney said it had decided to bring the show back after conversations with Kimmel. The company said it had suspended production to avoid further inflaming a tense situation, and described some of the comments as ill-timed and insensitive. That is Disney’s stated rationale; the reported sequence does not establish that government pressure alone caused the suspension. The Los Angeles Times reported Disney’s announcement and statement, while Reuters covered the FCC pressure and affiliate decisions.
When did Kimmel return, and why did some viewers still miss the show?
Kimmel returned to ABC on September 23, but the national return did not immediately restore local broadcast access everywhere. Nexstar and Sinclair, two large owners of ABC affiliates, continued to preempt the program until September 26, when both said their stations would resume airing it. The blackout lasted just over a week.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
The distinction is between the network and its local affiliates: ABC restored the program to its schedule, while station owners controlled whether it appeared on particular local stations. The scale can be described in different ways, and those measures should not be confused:
| Measure | Reported figure | What it describes |
|---|---|---|
| Nexstar ABC affiliates | 28 | Affiliates reported by the Associated Press as affected by the preemption and included in the resumption announcement. |
| Sinclair local markets | 38 | Markets reported by the Associated Press; this is not the same measure as a count of individual stations. |
| Share of U.S. households | Nearly one quarter combined | Reuters’ estimate of the reach of the groups’ 70 ABC-affiliated stations, with reported company shares of approximately 14% for Nexstar and 9% for Sinclair. |
The AP described the earlier blackout as covering roughly a quarter of ABC’s local affiliates. That is a different denominator from the share of U.S. households reached. The Associated Press reported the affiliate and market counts; Reuters reported household reach and the companies’ respective shares.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What authority did ABC and the local station groups have?
ABC and the affiliate owners made different distribution decisions. Disney controlled the network program and its national return; Nexstar and Sinclair controlled local station schedules. Affiliate agreements generally allow some preemption, but an indefinite suspension can raise the possibility of penalties or contract renegotiation, according to Reuters. The reporting does not establish a final legal determination about these specific preemptions or prove that all parties acted for the same reason.
The dispute also drew scrutiny over viewers’ access to local broadcast news and entertainment. On September 24, Washington Senator Maria Cantwell wrote to Sinclair CEO Christopher S. Ripley, objecting to the continued preemption at Seattle’s KOMO-TV and arguing for local viewers’ over-the-air access. Her letter invoked the First Amendment, but it was an objection from a senator, not a ruling on the legality of the station’s decision. Cantwell’s September 24 letter is available from the Senate Commerce Committee.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteRank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The station groups eventually resumed airing the program. Morningstar senior equity analyst Matthew Dolgin told the AP, “The relationship with Disney is far too important for these firms to risk.” That is an analyst’s interpretation of the affiliates’ decision, not a statement of their shared motive.
What did the celebrity letter say—and what does its size show?
More than 400 celebrities signed an open letter opposing attempts at government censorship, according to the Los Angeles Times. The signatories included talent associated with Disney. The letter was a visible, organized response from people in the entertainment industry; it was not a representative survey of viewers or of celebrities as a whole.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
The episode therefore involved more than a programming reversal. A network suspension, local preemptions, pressure from a federal regulator, public protest and a later return all occurred in a short period. The signatures document an organized objection to censorship; they do not, on their own, establish what drove Disney’s decision. The Los Angeles Times reported the letter and signatory count.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did people cancel Disney+ over Jimmy Kimmel?
Antenna estimates for September 2025, reported by The Wall Street Journal, counted 3 million Disney+ cancellations and 4.1 million Hulu cancellations. The report said the monthly figures exceeded recent service averages, while also noting that sign-ups for both services rose during September. Antenna’s estimates excluded some customers who subscribed through third parties such as wireless carriers.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Those are monthly service-level estimates, not a verified count of people cancelling specifically because of Kimmel. The timing shows that unusually high cancellations occurred in the same month as the suspension, but the reported figures do not isolate the controversy as the sole cause. The Wall Street Journal reported Antenna’s estimates and their limitations.
What the reversal reveals about how television reaches viewers
The interruption exposed a layered distribution system. Disney could restore a show to ABC’s national schedule, but local affiliate owners could still keep it off their stations. For viewers affected by those preemptions, access to the network feed was not the same as access through their regular local channel; contemporary reporting pointed to streaming as an alternative route.
It also helps separate documented events from interpretations. The suspension and return dates, affiliate holdouts, celebrity letter and cancellation estimates are reported facts. The available reporting does not prove a single cause for the suspension, a shared motive for the station groups, or that the Kimmel controversy alone drove subscription cancellations. The strongest conclusion is narrower: a brief national reversal became a broader contest over who controls distribution, how public pressure reaches broadcasters and what viewers can receive locally.
Quick Recap
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.
