The jimmy kimmel return finally has a time: 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC. If your local ABC is owned by Sinclair and preempting the show, here’s exactly how to watch—plus why the affiliate standoff matters, which markets are affected, and the simple streaming backup millions are using.
If you’re trying to figure out whether Jimmy Kimmel is actually back on the air, why some ABC channels still won’t show him, and what all of this did to Disney’s stock, you’re not alone. Here’s the full picture—fast, factual, and with perspective on what matters next.
Jimmy Kimmel Return: Time on ABC, Sinclair Markets, and How to Watch
This section covers the jimmy kimmel return tonight on ABC, what’s happening on Sinclair ABC stations, and the simplest streaming workarounds if your market is preempted.
Six days after ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! “indefinitely,” Disney reversed course: Kimmel returns to the network’s late-night slot on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. The network says the initial pause aimed to avoid “inflaming a tense moment” after Kimmel’s monologue criticized reactions to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk—comments that drew political outrage and regulatory threats. Reuters first reported Disney’s reinstatement decision; People and AP echoed the details.
The twist: a major slice of the ABC footprint still won’t carry him. Sinclair Broadcast Group—one of ABC’s largest affiliate owners—says it will preempt Kimmel’s return on its ABC stations and run news programming instead, at least for now. Business Insider reports 39 ABC affiliates are affected. Translation: some viewers will see local news where the monologue used to be, even as the show resumes nationally.
And the money? Between Sept. 17 and the reinstatement announcement on Sept. 23, Disney’s market value slipped by ~2.39% (about $4.99B). It’s not “cash lost,” but it shows how culture fights can echo on Wall Street. Al Jazeera tallied the swing and recapped the pressure campaign dynamics.
Quick answers to what everyone’s Googling
- Is Jimmy Kimmel back on the air?
Yes. ABC has reinstated Jimmy Kimmel Live! after a six-day suspension. - What time is Jimmy Kimmel on?
11:35 p.m. ET on ABC; next-day streaming typically on ABC.com/Hulu. - Why can’t I see Kimmel on my ABC channel?
If your ABC station is owned by Sinclair, it may be preempting the program. Check local listings. - Who owns Sinclair Broadcast Group?
Publicly traded, but family-controlled by the Smith family; David D. Smith is executive chairman. Wikipedia - How much did Disney “lose”?
Roughly $5B in market cap during the flap (again: market value, not cash).
What actually happened—and why it matters
1) The spark: A monologue, a murder, and a meltdown
On Sept. 10, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in Utah; Kimmel’s subsequent monologue criticized MAGA responses. ABC paused the show; Nexstar and Sinclair pulled the program from their ABC schedules. Within days, amid backlash from free-speech advocates and Hollywood, Disney said Kimmel would return Sept. 23.
2) The distribution crunch: Why Sinclair’s call is a big deal
Even in 2025, broadcast late night matters because it’s where habit lives: you flip on “the ABC channel” and let the monologue roll. Sinclair’s 39 ABC stations represent a meaningful slice of broadcast reach. Streaming patches part of that hole—but the loss of spontaneous channel-flip discovery in those markets still hurts the show’s top-of-funnel audience.
3) The money: Culture clash, meet ticker symbol
Disney’s share price drifted lower during the suspension window as boycotts and affiliate unrest dominated headlines; Al Jazeera estimates ~$4.99B in market cap faded before the reversal. As media scholar Susan Campbell put it (quoted by Reuters via Al Jazeera), Disney’s move to bring Kimmel back was likely business-driven: “Consumers were exercising their own First Amendment rights and ending their subscriptions.”
Kimmel’s past disputes: Context for the current firestorm
If you’ve watched Kimmel over two decades, you know this isn’t his first brush with controversy. Understanding the backstory helps frame why affiliates, advertisers, and Disney react the way they do.
The 2013 “Kill everyone in China” sketch
A Jimmy Kimmel Live! “Kids Table” bit aired a child’s glib remark—“kill everyone in China”—while brainstorming U.S. debt solutions. The segment triggered protests and diplomatic complaints; ABC apologized and removed the segment from future airings. Los Angeles Times+2Hollywood Reporter+2
The 2017 “Jimmy Kimmel test” and health-care politics
After Kimmel spoke about his newborn son’s heart condition, Sen. Bill Cassidy popularized the “Jimmy Kimmel test” (would families get care regardless of cost?). Kimmel then blasted Cassidy’s bill for failing that standard, cementing his role as a political voice in late night. It elevated his cultural cachet—and the backlash. Wikipedia
The 2018 Hannity feud and the Melania apology
Kimmel mocked Melania Trump’s accent; Fox’s Sean Hannity unloaded; Kimmel responded with jabs; the cycle escalated until Kimmel apologized for “inciting hatefulness” and moved to de-escalate. It’s a template for how fast late-night bits can morph into national brawls. Variety+2People.com+2
The 2020 blackface/Karl Malone apology
Kimmel apologized for 1990s sketches (and radio bits) impersonating Karl Malone and other Black celebrities, acknowledging the material was “embarrassing” and offensive. Old bits now live forever online; brands and affiliates calculate that risk into every deal. Hollywood Reporter+2Variety+2
Why it matters now: These episodes trained everyone—Disney, affiliates, advertisers—to evaluate Kimmel not just as a comedian, but as a recurring flashpoint. That doesn’t make him unique; it does mean distribution (who carries the show), ad adjacency, and social-video breakouts are constantly renegotiated.
How to watch if you’re in a Sinclair market (or traveling)
- Broadcast (non-Sinclair markets): ABC at 11:35 p.m. ET (check local listings).
- Streaming workaround: ABC.com or Hulu typically carry Jimmy Kimmel Live! after broadcast. If your ABC affiliate preempts, streaming is the fastest workaround.
- Sinclair status: 39 ABC affiliates preempting for now; company says talks with ABC continue.
Who’s who: Sinclair, ABC/Disney, and the power behind your “ABC channel”
- Sinclair Broadcast Group (public; family-controlled by the Smiths) is one of America’s largest station owners. It operates across affiliations (Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC, etc.) and tends to take a hands-on approach to editorial/branding—especially around politics. Wikipedia
- ABC is Disney’s broadcast network—the same corporate roof as Hulu and Disney+. When affiliate groups balk at network content, it creates a three-way standoff: network, station owner, and audience.
- Disney stock (DIS): during the flap, market value dropped ~$5B before the reversal headlines; Barron’s noted shares ticked up on the return news. Expect more volatility around the earnings call if advertisers or affiliates remain jittery. Barron’s
The audience reality: Search intent doesn’t lie
In late September 2025, queries like “is Jimmy Kimmel back,” “Kimmel return date,” “Sinclair ABC stations,” “who owns Sinclair Broadcast Group,” “Disney stock price,” and “what time is Jimmy Kimmel on” surged as people tried to figure out if and where they could watch. Meanwhile, broader pop-culture names—Olivia Rodrigo, Adam Sandler, Jen Psaki—frequently piggyback on late-night cycles when they guest or become fodder for topical bits, helping the show translate broadcast moments into YouTube mornings. (Kimmel’s channel has surpassed 20M subs and massive lifetime views.)
What to watch for next
- Does Sinclair blink—or double down?
Business Insider says Sinclair is replacing Kimmel with news programming while demanding contrition. A compromise—on-air clarification, a charitable gesture, or a time-limited preemption—could restore carriage. - Does Disney publish churn/advertiser signals?
Al Jazeera’s explainer highlights Disney+ cancellation chatter and unions’ backlash. Watch the next Disney earnings call and ABC Upfronts for hard numbers or soft guidance. - Does Kimmel address the controversy on night one?
He almost has to. The tone of that first monologue may determine how fast advertisers and affiliates return to status quo. Reuters and AP expect some acknowledgment, but no clear signal of an apology.
Opinion: A stress test of media power in 2025
You don’t need to be a Kimmel fan to see what this reveals. Station groups still have hard power in local markets. Networks curate culture but can’t force affiliates’ hands. Politicians can intimidate, but a naked government squeeze tends to backfire with the broader public and the courts. And audiences? They vote with remotes, subscribers, and shares.
ABC’s whiplash—suspend, then reinstate—was messy. But it quietly acknowledges a truth: late-night comedy is supposed to push, and when speech gets punished by brute force (boycotts, license threats), the culture shrinks. If you want fewer ugly monologues, the solution isn’t fear; it’s better arguments, better jokes, and better media literacy.
Data points & expert perspective (for the receipts)
- Return date & time: Jimmy Kimmel Live! resumes Sept. 23, 11:35 p.m. ET; stream on ABC.com/Hulu.
- Sinclair preemption scope: 39 ABC affiliates replacing Kimmel with news for now.
- Market impact: Disney down ~2.39% / $4.99B in market value during the suspension window; modest uptick on return headlines. Barron’s
- Ratings context: Kimmel’s total-viewer averages trail Colbert in 2025, but he’s competitive in the 18–49 demo, which drives ad pricing. (Recent roundups show ~1.77M total viewers for Kimmel vs. Colbert’s 2.42M in Q2.) Statista+1
- Expert quote (business motive): “Consumers were exercising their own First Amendment rights and ending their subscriptions,” says media scholar Susan Campbell, explaining Disney’s calculation.
Join the conversation
Should station groups be able to preempt network shows over a host’s comments? Or should carriage stay content-neutral as long as standards are met? If you’re in a Sinclair market, will you stream the show—or skip it altogether? Tell me where you stand.
