Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that it will resume airing "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its ABC affiliate stations, effective September 26. This decision ends a temporary blackout that affected viewers in numerous cities across the United States. The blackout was initiated after Kimmel made comments related to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

In a statement, Sinclair, which operates 38 ABC affiliates, emphasized its commitment to providing programming that is both accurate and engaging for a diverse audience. "Our objective throughout this process has been to ensure that programming remains accurate and engaging for the widest possible audience," the company stated. Sinclair also highlighted its responsibility as local broadcasters to serve community interests while fulfilling obligations to air national network content.

The controversy began when ABC suspended Kimmel's show on September 17, following remarks he made that drew criticism from various quarters, including the Trump administration. The head of the Federal Communications Commission, appointed by Trump, had warned that local affiliates could face repercussions if Kimmel was not disciplined. Sinclair had previously condemned Kimmel's comments and called for him to apologize to Kirk's family, even suggesting he make a donation to Turning Point USA, the nonprofit founded by Kirk.

Despite Kimmel's return to the air on September 23, Sinclair and another affiliate group, Nexstar, continued to preempt the show. Sinclair's decision to lift the blackout came after it received feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders. The company noted that recent violent incidents, including a shooting at a Sacramento station, underscored the importance of responsible broadcasting and respectful dialogue.

The blackouts sparked a national debate about First Amendment rights and the influence of political pressures on media content. Critics accused Sinclair and other companies of censoring content, while supporters of Kirk expressed outrage over Kimmel's remarks, which they felt misrepresented the situation surrounding Kirk's death.

Kimmel's comments did not directly address Kirk but criticized Trump and his supporters for their reactions to the incident. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr accused Kimmel of misleading the public and praised Sinclair and Nexstar for their actions against the show. Sinclair's Vice Chairman, Jason Smith, described Kimmel's comments as "inappropriate and deeply insensitive" and called for regulatory action from the FCC regarding the control of local broadcasters by national networks.

In its latest statement, Sinclair reiterated that its decision to preempt Kimmel's show was made independently, without government influence. The company acknowledged that not everyone would agree with its programming decisions but maintained that it is inconsistent to advocate for free speech while demanding specific content from broadcasters. Sinclair also mentioned that discussions with ABC are ongoing, with proposals for enhancing accountability and community dialogue still under consideration.