Overview

• ABC says Tuesday’s broadcast reached about 6.2–6.3 million TV viewers, with more than 26 million views of the monologue across social platforms.
• Stations owned by Nexstar and Sinclair continue to preempt the show, leaving roughly 23% of U.S. households without a local ABC airing while the companies review the program.
• ABC reversed last week’s suspension after talks with Kimmel, who clarified that he did not intend to make light of Charlie Kirk’s killing and praised Erika Kirk for her public forgiveness.
• President Trump posted that he may pursue legal action over the reinstatement, a threat free‑speech advocates and legal experts say lacks a solid basis.
• The controversy follows FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s warnings tied to station licenses and has spurred financiers, including Needham, to urge Disney to prioritize streaming over traditional broadcasting.