Top 5 Reasons ABC/Disney Brought Jimmy Kimmel Back

Jimmy Kimmel returns to his seat after being pulled off his late-night show last week.

On Monday, September 22, Disney-owned broadcaster ABC announced Kimmel’s return to Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with the Emmy-winning host back in his seat on Tuesday.

The official statement from Disney Co. read:

“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country. It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. We have spent the last few days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”

It has been widely reported that Kimmel’s suspension was due to his comments on Charlie Kirk’s death, which appeared to offend a particular party.

Now that he has returned, there are several prominent reasons behind ABC/Disney’s decision.

1. Avoiding Escalation of Tensions

Disney explained that it suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! to prevent inflaming a sensitive and emotional moment in the U.S. after Kirk’s killing, describing some of Kimmel’s remarks as “ill-timed and thus insensitive.”

2. Internal Discussions & Negotiations

Following heavy backlash from Hollywood’s most credible names and a subscription-cancellation campaign against Disney+, ABC/Disney engaged in “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel.

These discussions ultimately paved the way for the decision to bring the show back, according to the official statement.

3. Public & Industry Backlash / Free Speech Concerns

Over 400 actors and creatives signed an open letter organised by the ACLU, defending free speech and criticising the suspension.

The letter included high-profile names such as Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, Selena Gomez, Olivia Rodrigo, and Jamie Lee Curtis, among others.

The broader media community also voiced concern about censorship.

4. Pressure from Affiliate Station Owners & Regulatory Threats

Affiliate station owners, who rely on ABC’s programming for local advertising revenue — including Nexstar and Sinclair — were reportedly uneasy with Kimmel’s repeated jabs at powerful political figures.

This unease escalated when regulatory bodies hinted at reviewing broadcast licences, creating a perfect storm of political heat and business pressure that ABC executives couldn’t ignore.

Additionally, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned of potential regulatory consequences, further complicating Disney’s decision.

5. Business & Financial Risks

Beyond the humour, Jimmy Kimmel remains a business asset worth millions in advertising revenue.

But when sponsors start fearing backlash and potential boycotts, networks panic. A single controversy can trigger lost ad sales, declining ratings, and unrest among stockholders. For Disney-owned ABC, the financial stakes were simply too high to risk.

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