Nexstar announced on September 17, 2025, that its ABC-affiliated stations would stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! beginning that night, but the preemption did not last indefinitely: Nexstar announced the show’s return to its stations starting September 26. The decision followed Kimmel’s remarks about the killing of Charlie Kirk. ABC separately suspended the program on September 17, a distinct network action.
What Nexstar announced on September 17
Nexstar Media Group said its owned and partner television stations affiliated with ABC would preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future,” starting September 17, 2025. It said the stations would substitute other programming in their ABC-affiliated markets. In its September 17 announcement, Nexstar tied the decision to Kimmel’s recent comments concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk.
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Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, said the company considered the comments “offensive and insensitive” and argued that airing the show was not in the public interest at that time. Those were Nexstar’s judgments and stated rationale, not neutral findings about the comments or the views of local communities.
Why the show was pulled
The immediate context was Kimmel’s remarks about reactions to Kirk’s killing. The Associated Press reported that Kimmel said on the Monday and Tuesday broadcasts that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.” AP also reported that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr criticized the comments and threatened further FCC action. The cited reports do not establish that government pressure caused Nexstar’s decision.
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Nexstar’s preemption and ABC’s suspension were separate
ABC suspended the show on September 17 as well. According to the Associated Press’s contemporaneous report, ABC’s announcement did not give a reason. Nexstar, by contrast, published its own explanation for preempting the program on its affiliated stations. The network’s action and the station group’s decision should not be treated as the same announcement.
What happened next
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| September 17, 2025 | Nexstar announced that its owned and partner ABC-affiliated stations would preempt the show beginning that night, “for the foreseeable future.” ABC separately suspended it. |
| September 23, 2025 | Nexstar said it would continue the preemption as ABC prepared to return the show. Nexstar said its decision was pending assurance of respectful, constructive dialogue and noted that the program would be available nationwide on multiple Disney-owned streaming products at that time. Nexstar’s September 23 statement |
| September 26, 2025 | Nexstar announced that the show would return to its owned and partner ABC-affiliated stations beginning that night. It said it had discussed its concerns with Disney executives and appreciated their constructive approach. Nexstar’s September 26 statement |
In its September 26 statement, Nexstar also said its decisions during the episode had been independent of external influence from government agencies or individuals. That is Nexstar’s account of its decision-making.
Is Jimmy Kimmel Live! still off Nexstar’s ABC stations?
The September 2025 preemption was reversed within days: Nexstar announced a return beginning September 26, 2025. Those announcements establish the historical sequence, but they do not establish the current schedule at every local station. For a present-day broadcast, check the local ABC affiliate’s schedule.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where could viewers watch during the preemption?
On September 23, Nexstar said the show was available nationwide on multiple Disney-owned streaming products. That statement describes availability at the time of the preemption; it does not establish current streaming catalogs, access, or subscription terms.
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