Updated: Jimmy Kimmel Returns to ABC Tonight – But Not In These Markets

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the ABC late night talk show, will return to the air tonight after a six-day suspension following the host’s controversial remarks regarding assassinated conservative leader, Charlie Kirk.

However, Sinclair Broadcasting, one of two major ABC affiliate groups that heavily criticized Kimmel’s comments last week (Nexstar was the other one), has decided not to air the show on its affiliates when it returns tonight at 11:35 p.m. ET. The broadcaster said it will replace the Kimmel show with news programming.

That means viewers in the following markets where Sinclair owns the ABC affiliate (according to the Sinclair site) will not be able to watch the show, even if they installed an off-air TV antenna.

Markets That Won’t Air Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Abilene, Sweetwater, Texas
Amarillo, Texas
Birmingham, Alabama
Champaign, Springfield, Decatur, Illinois
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston, South Carolina
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Columbus, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Eureka
Florence, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, North Carolina
Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina
New Bern, North Carolina
Lincoln, Hastings, Kearney, Nebraska
Little Rock, Arkansas
Macon, Georgia
Mobile, Alabama
Pensacola, Florida
San Angelo, Texas
Ottumwa, Iowa
Kirksville, Missouri
Washington, D.C.
Portland, Oregon
Quincy, Illinois
Hannibal, Missouri
Keokuk, Iowa
Roanoke, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Rochester, New York
Seattle, Washington
St. Louis, Missouri
Traverse City, Michigan
Cadillac, Michigan
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Sinclair did say it would continue discussing the situation with ABC headquarters so it’s possible it could change course before tonight’s show. But as of now, no Kimmel on Sinclair stations.

The show normally averages roughly 1.5 million viewers which is a sharp decline for late night talk compared to years past. However, tonight’s return is likely to command a larger audience although the missing Sinclair stations could reduce that number.

Update: The Baltimore Sun reports that Nexstar has now decided not to air the Kimmel show tonight. See this page for Nexstar stations and markets that would be affected.

On Friday, September 26, both Nexstar and Sinclair returned the Kimmel show to their stations.

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