The Real Reasons Behind Jimmy Kimmel’s Indefinite Suspension; ABC Stations Revolt, Fierce Backlash, Ratings Meltdown

NEW YORK, NY – ABC has indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following mounting backlash over remarks the late-night host made regarding the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. While many assumed the move was driven by partisan politics, reporting indicates the decision stemmed from a combination of affiliate pressure, refusal to apologize, and concern over what Kimmel planned to say next.

Refusal to Apologize

Multiple outlets reported that Kimmel declined to issue an apology despite mounting calls from ABC affiliate station owners and political critics. Instead, he intended to continue with his program without retracting the remarks, which many viewers and officials had described as insensitive.

Planned Clarification Instead of Retraction

Rather than offering a full apology, Kimmel reportedly planned to clarify his earlier comments and argue they had been taken out of context. That approach was seen by some within the network as a doubling-down rather than an attempt to defuse the controversy.

Network Executives’ Concerns

Executives at ABC and parent company Disney grew increasingly uneasy, worried that Kimmel’s next monologues might escalate the backlash. Reports suggest they were concerned about further controversy if he pressed forward without a clear apology.

Affiliate Decisions Forced the Issue

The most immediate pressure came from ABC’s affiliate partners. Nexstar Media Group, which owns 32 ABC affiliates, announced it would no longer carry Jimmy Kimmel Live! on those stations. Sinclair Broadcast Group soon followed suit, instructing its stations to pull the program as well. Facing the prospect of large parts of the country losing access to the show, ABC formally suspended the program “until further notice.”

Was the Show Pulled Because of Ratings?

While much of the attention has focused on Kimmel’s controversial remarks, it is worth noting that Jimmy Kimmel Live! has faced significant declining ratings for years. The show, once a late-night leader, has seen its audience steadily shrink in both total viewership and the key 18-49 demographic prized by advertisers. Reports indicate that viewership has fallen from around 2.4 million in 2015 to about 1.6 million in 2025. In the same span, the show lost more than 70% of its younger adult audience.

Even in 2025, the numbers have fluctuated – averaging 1.77 million total viewers in the spring, then dipping to about 1.1 million in September, an 11% decline. Although Kimmel occasionally posted strong showings in younger demos, the broader trajectory has been downward. This ratings pressure likely added to the challenges surrounding his suspension.

What the Data Suggests

• Jimmy Kimmel Live! has seen significant ratings decline over the past several years, especially pronounced in the key 18-49 (and 25-54) demographic that advertisers care about.
• The decline has been both in total viewers and, more sharply, in younger/adult demo audience.
• While there have been short-term gains (e.g. Q2 2025 demo strength), they seem insufficient to reverse the overall downward trend.
• Thus, ratings pressure is probably a valid factor in ABC’s decision-making, alongside affiliate pressure, controversies, and political backlash.

Q&A

Q: Was Jimmy Kimmel’s show canceled permanently?
No. ABC announced an indefinite suspension. While the program is currently off the air, the network has not officially declared it canceled.

Q: Why did affiliates pull the show?
Affiliate groups said Kimmel’s remarks were offensive and indicated they were not comfortable airing the program without an apology. Nexstar and Sinclair collectively represent dozens of ABC stations, putting significant pressure on the network.

Q: Did Kimmel apologize?
No. Reports indicate Kimmel refused to apologize, intending instead to explain that his comments had been misinterpreted.

Q: Was politics the reason for the suspension?
The suspension followed political backlash, but reporting suggests the decisive factors were the affiliate stations’ refusal to air the show, Kimmel’s refusal to apologize, and executive concern about how the controversy could escalate.

Q: Did falling ratings play a role?
Yes, ratings have been trending downward for years. Total viewership dropped from roughly 2.4 million in 2015 to about 1.6 million in 2025, with an even steeper decline in younger demographics. This likely added to the pressure facing the program.