Is ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ in jeopardy? Show pulled off air amid FCC license threat and death threats

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been pulled off the air indefinitely by ABC after a recent monologue stirred sharp controversy. The network said it would stop airing the show following pressure from the government regulator and backlash over the host’s remarks. It is not yet clear when or whether the show will return.

The reports by The Hollywood Reporter state that the controversy started after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and died. Kimmel stated in his talk that certain individuals were attempting to de-emphasize the shooter’s connection to MAGA and accused those individuals of using this horrible event for their own political gain. Some listeners felt that the remark was offensive, while others defended his right to say so.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr responded strongly, calling Kimmel's comments "truly sick," and suggesting that Kimmel's comments misled people into believing the shooter had deep ties to a political organization when there was not sufficient substance for this suggestion. Citing the accountability of broadcasters, Carr said that ABC and others should take action. Soon after, many ABC affiliate stations decided to stop showing Jimmy Kimmel Live!. These moves appeared to follow Carr’s remarks.

What is known so far about pulling off the Jimmy Kimmel show?

Reports by AP News mentioned that ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its schedule on September 17, 2025. The decision was indefinite. It followed a strong disapproval of Kimmel’s monologue.

Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, both big owners of ABC-affiliated local stations, said they would drop the show "for the foreseeable future." Nexstar said it found Kimmel’s remarks offensive and insensitive. Sinclair asked that Kimmel apologize, and also asked for a donation to Charlie Kirk’s family and the group Turning Point USA.

Reports by The Hollywood Reporter further state that FCC Chair Brendan Carr voiced a warning. He said that networks might face consequences, including threats to their broadcast licenses, if they do not respond to comments that regulators find false or misleading or harmful to the public interest. He urged ABC to act after Kimmel’s remarks.

Meanwhile, there are reports of death threats and doxxing of staff associated with Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Some ABC and Disney employees have reportedly faced threats to their safety and had their contact information shared online. This has been recorded from the reports by People.

Disney, which owns ABC, has acknowledged the suspension. As per the reports by Los Angeles Times, CEO Bob Iger and other top executives are involved in discussions about what to do next. But they have not given a clear timeline for when the show might return.

What is still unclear?

It is not known exactly how long Jimmy Kimmel Live! will stay off the air. ABC has not said when the show will resume, or whether changes will be made to the content or format.

Also, it is not yet confirmed whether all the dropped affiliate stations will come back to carry the show once it returns. Some station groups have made demands, like an apology or donation.

There is concern among free speech advocates about how much regulators can influence what is aired on TV. The U.S. Constitution protects speech, but broadcasters also have rules set by the FCC, including that content be in the “public interest.” The line between allowed speech and content that regulators might punish remains disputed.

Some critics say the pressure on ABC is too strong and that this may set a precedent where political views or backlash lead broadcasters to silence hosts. Others argue that broadcasters must guard against irresponsible speech, especially if it misleads people or stirs political division.

What happens next with the Jimmy Kimmel show?

ABC may try to reach an agreement with its affiliates. They might require Jimmy Kimmel to issue a public apology or make other concessions. There is talk that Disney is meeting with Kimmel and his team to see if the show could return under changed conditions, but nothing has been confirmed.

Regulators, station owners, and political leaders are watching closely. If the FCC actually moves to punish ABC, that could test how far the government can go in regulating speech on television.

For viewers, fans of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the show’s disappearance leaves a gap in late‐night television. The wake left by this suspension may shape future shows, what hosts decide to say, and how networks manage political pressure.

ABC has pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after a controversial monologue about Charlie Kirk’s death. The move followed threats by the FCC’s chair about broadcaster licenses and strong reactions from station owners, audience, and political figures. There are no clear answers yet on when the show might return or under what terms. The case has raised big questions about free speech, regulatory power, and what hosts can safely say on national television.

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