Overview

• ABC put Jimmy Kimmel Live! back on the air Tuesday at 11:35 p.m. ET after days of criticism from entertainers, civil-liberties groups and viewers.
• Large station groups Nexstar and Sinclair continued to refuse carriage, creating a partial national blackout across many local ABC affiliates.
• In his on-air return, Kimmel said he never intended to make light of Charlie Kirk’s killing and stressed the importance of free speech and a free press.
• The show’s initial suspension followed public warnings from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who suggested broadcasters could face regulatory consequences.
• President Trump lauded the suspension, then condemned the reinstatement and threatened to “put ABC to the test,” invoking a prior $16 million settlement.