Nexstar to preempt ABC's ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ despite Disney ending suspension

Nexstar Media Group, Inc., announced on Tuesday that it will continue to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" despite Disney allowing the show to return to ABC. 

"We made a decision last week to preempt ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ comments at a critical time in our national discourse.  We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve," the company said in a statement. 

"In the meantime, we note that ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ will be available nationwide on multiple Disney-owned streaming products, while our stations will focus on continuing to produce local news and other programming relevant to their respective markets," Nexstar added. 

Nexstar Media Group, Inc., announced on Tuesday that it will continue to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" despite Disney allowing the show to return to ABC.  (Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images)

Nexstar owns 32 ABC affiliate stations. 

Sinclair Broadcast Group, which operates 30 ABC affiliates, announced Monday it would preempt the show. 

Kimmel's late-night show was initially pulled off the air last Wednesday after Kimmel's remarks about the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk sparked outrage and a veiled threat from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Disney decided to suspend the show after Nextar and Sinclair pulled airings of Kimmel from their stations, and Kimmel reportedly had told executives he would not apologize for his comments.

The situation caused outrage among liberals, who said Kimmel was being punished for exercising freedom of speech. Conservatives countered that Kimmel's comments suggesting Kirk's suspected killer was a MAGA member were outrageous and offensive.

Disney announced Kimmel's return on Monday. He is expected to address the controversy on the show Tuesday night.

This is a developing story, more to come.