• Sinclair Broadcast Group is bringing Jimmy Kimmel Live! back to its ABC affiliates.
• The show had faced a weeklong preemption due to remarks Kimmel made after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
• Both Sinclair and Nexstar Media Group ended the boycott after public outcry and feedback from viewers.
• Kimmel's return drew significant ratings despite ongoing blackouts in certain markets.
• The controversy has raised questions about free speech and media censorship in the U.S.

The Sinclair Broadcast Group announced it would reinstate "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its ABC affiliates, effectively ending a dayslong blackout that had affected viewers in several cities, including Washington, D.C., and Seattle. This decision came after significant public outcry over Kimmel’s controversial comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which led to nationwide discussions about free speech and censorship in the media landscape, according to HuffPost, CBS News, and Reuters.

Sinclair’s statement emphasized its commitment to provide programming that "serves the interests of our communities" while also engaging a broad audience. The company, which operates several ABC affiliates, had initially suspended Kimmel’s show after threats from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, who warned that affiliates could face repercussions if they aired the show without reprimanding Kimmel, according to SFGate and NPR.

Following Disney's decision to lift the suspension of Kimmel's program on September 17, Sinclair and another major broadcaster, Nexstar, continued to keep the show off the air. Sinclair had called on Kimmel to apologize and financially support the organization founded by Kirk, but the backlash against this suspension mounted, leading to their eventual reversal. Critics highlighted fears of censorship and free speech violations within the context of rising political influence over media outlets, according to India Times and Le Monde.

Kimmel’s ratings soared upon his return, garnering over 6 million viewers, even as a quarter of ABC affiliate markets remained unable to access the show during the boycott. Kimmel's comments ignited further controversy, including criticism from figures like President Trump, who expressed dissatisfaction with Kimmel's reinstatement through social media. Trump's reactions compounded the dialogue surrounding free speech, especially regarding late-night television hosts and their critiques of political figures, as noted by BBC and India Times.