Overview

• Jon Stewart made a surprise cameo during Kimmel’s Brooklyn taping, jokingly dubbing him “Mr. Free Speech” as late-night hosts continue public support for his return.
• ABC brought Jimmy Kimmel Live! back on September 23 after suspending it over his remarks about the killing of Charlie Kirk, with Sinclair and Nexstar affiliates resuming carriage by September 26.
• Journalist Marisa Kabas reported, citing a Disney source, that more than 1.7 million paid subscriptions across Disney+, Hulu and ESPN were canceled between September 17 and 23.
• Disney announced Disney+ and bundle price increases the day Kimmel returned, as the company navigated backlash, affiliate pressure and First Amendment concerns tied to FCC commentary.
• President Donald Trump cheered Kimmel’s suspension and continued to target late-night hosts, while Jimmy Fallon’s stated plan to stay largely apolitical drew fresh criticism and contrasted approaches across the genre.