Overview
- Channel 4 says the address will air on Dec. 25 at 5:45 p.m. GMT as the network’s counterpoint to the monarch’s speech, with streaming to follow.
- The broadcaster says Kimmel will open by declaring, “From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year,” in a message billed as deeply personal and characteristically jovial.
- Kimmel is expected to reflect on ABC’s September decision to briefly pull his show after remarks about Charlie Kirk’s killing, a flashpoint tied to pressure from FCC chair Brendan Carr before the show returned days later.
- A Channel 4 spokesperson cited President Donald Trump’s return and Kimmel’s experience on the front line of a free‑speech fight as the rationale for the booking.
- The announcement has already drawn sharp criticism from right‑leaning commentators and outlets in the UK and U.S., signaling polarized reaction ahead of the broadcast.