Overview

• Disney said it paused the show to avoid inflaming tensions after comments it called ill‑timed, then decided to resume broadcasts on Tuesday following discussions with Kimmel.
• FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned ABC affiliates about potential license consequences, and major owners Nexstar and Sinclair announced preemptions of the program.
• Distribution remains unsettled as Sinclair says its stations will not carry the show until Kimmel apologizes to Charlie Kirk’s family and donates to Turning Point USA, with Nexstar also able to keep preempting.
• The suspension drew heavy backlash, including an ACLU letter signed by 400+ artists, statements from Hollywood unions, and criticism from some Republicans; FCC commissioner Anna Gomez said the agency lacks authority to police viewpoints.
• Utah authorities said the accused shooter had started to lean more left and targeted Kirk’s political expression, complicating early narratives; Reuters reported Bob Iger and Dana Walden held talks with Kimmel before the return decision.