BE.DISNEY CAUSES A SHOCK BY OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES ALLOWING JIMMY KIMMEL’S SHOW TO RETURN TO AIR ON ABC CHANNEL
Disney Announces That Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Will Resume Airing on ABC
Nationwide — ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to its late-night schedule on Tuesday, ending a sudden suspension that drew national attention. The network confirmed the decision after several days of internal discussions, saying it was important to move forward following what it called an “emotional moment” for the country. Disney, ABC’s parent company, said it had paused the show because some of Kimmel’s recent remarks were considered ill-timed and potentially insensitive.
According to CNN, the show was abruptly taken off the air last week after Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, along with Sinclair and Nexstar stations, threatened repercussions over Kimmel’s monologue criticizing the MAGA movement’s response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. That decision ignited a debate over whether political pressure was driving programming choices, raising broader concerns about government interference in media.
The controversy quickly grew beyond ABC. More than 400 artists — including Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and Jennifer Aniston — signed an ACLU-organized open letter supporting Kimmel. At the same time, protesters gathered outside Disney offices in New York and Burbank, as well as outside Kimmel’s Hollywood studio, demanding the company resist political pressure. Advocacy groups such as PEN America also condemned the suspension, framing it as a violation of free speech.
Behind the scenes, Disney executives Bob Iger and Dana Walden were balancing competing pressures. The company is seeking government approvals for major deals such as ESPN’s negotiations with the NFL, while also relying on affiliate stations that were critical of Kimmel’s comments. Complicating matters further, Kimmel’s contract expires in May, and the late-night television market has faced steep declines in audience size and advertising revenue.
Despite these challenges, Kimmel remains a respected figure in the entertainment industry. His suspension rattled Hollywood, given his long-standing presence at ABC and his show’s role in employing more than 200 staff members. Many observers viewed the decision as a test of how far corporations are willing to go when political and financial pressures collide with artistic expression.
For free expression advocates, the reinstatement marks a victory. PEN America described the move as both a correction of an “unjustifiable suspension” and a reminder that accountability for those in power matters. “We must channel the same energy to protect others facing attacks on free speech, especially those without Kimmel’s reach or resources,” interim co-CEO Summer Lopez said. With his return, the late-night host once again steps into the spotlight—not just as a comedian, but as a symbol of the ongoing battle over artistic freedom in America.
