Sinclair Broadcasting said ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel was insufficient, announcing it will yank “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from its stations until the host apologizes directly to Charlie Kirk’s family and donates to his political activist group.
The Baltimore-based broadcaster, whose group of some 40 ABC local TV affiliates is the nation’s largest, said Kimmel’s on-air remarks about Kirk’s assassination were “inappropriate and deeply insensitive.”
The company vowed not to return Kimmel’s show “until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.”
“We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities,” Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith said in a statement.
Smith praised Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, who told conservative podcasters that the agency would take action against Disney in light of Kimmel’s remarks about Kirk.
“This incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks,” Smith said.
ABC announced Wednesday that production of Kimmel’s late-night program had been suspended indefinitely after he mocked what he called the “MAGA gang” in his Monday monologue, accusing conservatives of exploiting Kirk’s killing for political gain.
Prosecutors later identified the suspected shooter as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, saying he may have had personal and possibly political motives.
Sinclair, which operates 178 television stations in 81 markets, said its ABC affiliates will air a special in remembrance of Kirk during Kimmel’s Friday timeslot.
The program will also be carried across all Sinclair-owned stations nationwide and offered to other ABC affiliates.
The broadcaster vowed not to return Kimmel’s show “until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.”
Sinclair also called on Kimmel to make “a meaningful personal donation” to Kirk’s family and his group Turning Point USA.
Carr, a Trump appointee, had earlier blasted Kimmel’s remarks and urged affiliates to preempt his program.
“Change needs to happen on Kimmel,” Carr told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson on Wednesday — hours before ABC pulled the plug on the comedian’s show.
“Disney needs to see some change here, but the individual licensed stations that are taking their content, it’s time for them to step up and say this, you know, garbage … isn’t something that we think serves the needs of our local communities,” Carr told “The Benny Johnson Show” on Wednesday.
The pressure campaign quickly gained steam. Nexstar Media Group, another major broadcaster which owns dozens of ABC affiliates nationwide, also dropped Kimmel’s program.
Nexstar, the largest local TV operator in the country with 265 stations across 44 states, last month announced it reached agreement to acquire Tegna for $6.2 billion in cash.
The merger requires approval from Carr’s FCC and the Trump administration, with filings expected by the end of the month. If approved, the merger is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.
Disney is also in the process of seeking approval from the Trump administration for its recent multi-billion-dollar agreement with the National Football League over its media properties.
ESPN, the Disney-owned sports cable empire, intends to acquire the NFL Network, NFL RedZone and NFL Fantasy — folding them into its media portfolio in a deal valued by analysts between $2 billion and $3 billion.
In exchange, the NFL would own a 10% equity stake in the Bristol, Conn.-based “worldwide leader in sports.”
The conventional wisdom is that Disney CEO Robert Iger believed it was in the company’s interest to sacrifice Kimmel in order to avoid picking a fight with the Trump administration before antitrust officials sign off on the ESPN-NFL deal.
President Donald Trump celebrated Kimmel’s suspension on social media, writing, “Great News for America,” and deriding Kimmel’s ratings and talent.
The suspension blindsided Kimmel’s Los Angeles staff. Crew members and booked guests were told of the decision hours before taping, according to multiple reports.
Protesters and fans gathered outside the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on Wednesday, some calling the move censorship and others praising it as accountability.
Kimmel, 57, was seen leaving the studio late Tuesday but declined to comment. Sources told The Post he is “absolutely f–king livid” and exploring options to break from ABC.
Hollywood unions and free speech advocates warned the move could have chilling consequences. SAG-AFTRA said in a statement the episode “sets a dangerous precedent when government officials pressure broadcasters to silence voices they disagree with.”
The Writers Guild of America called the suspension “a blatant attack on creative freedom.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called ABC’s move “outrageous,” telling reporters, “You don’t suspend a comedian because politicians don’t like his jokes.”
ABC, owned by Disney, has not said if “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will return or be canceled.
The Post has sought comment from ABC, Disney and Kimmel.
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