The network’s decision comes after affiliate group Nexstar said it would pull the late-night show, and the chairman of the FCC suggested he might take action against ABC.
🚨 MAJOR BREAKING: Now, Disney ABC is CANCELING Jimmy Kimmel “INDEFINITELY” due to him lying that the Charlie Kirk assassin was MAGA, per WSJ.
This came right after the ABC affiliates canceled Kimmel via Nexstar.
FAFO, LOSER! pic.twitter.com/gGjwtzvdMX
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 17, 2025
VIA ABC NEWS:
A network spokesperson said Wednesday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be “pre-empted indefinitely.”
The network’s action came just after Nexstar, one of the biggest owners of local TV stations in the country — including 28 ABC affiliates — said it will pre-empt the series for the immediate future. A source said that ABC had also heard from at least one other station group about the show, suggesting that an affiliate revolt may have played a role in the decision.
The dramatic move follows Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr threatening to take action against ABC affiliates in the wake of Kimmel suggesting Kirk shooting suspect was a MAGA Republication during his Tuesday monologue.
“I want to thank Nexstar for doing the right thing,” Carr told The Hollywood Reporter. “Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest. While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values. I hope that other broadcasters follow Nexstar’s lead.”
Kimmel’s original comments were as follows: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”