US TV network drops Jimmy Kimmel’s show over his Charlie Kirk remarks

Walt Disney-owned ABC said on Wednesday it was pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air, after remarks by the show’s late-night host about Charlie Kirk’s assassination sparked harsh criticism by the head of the Federal Communications Commission.

The decision comes as Republican President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressured broadcasters to stop airing content he has found objectionable and called on the FCC to pull licences from stations.

“Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely,” an ABC spokesperson said, using a television industry term for when a show is replaced or removed from the schedule.

Earlier, Nexstar Media Group, which describes itself as the nation’s largest local television and media company, said it would stop airing the show on its 32 ABC affiliates, citing Kimmel’s comments.

“Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division.

Kimmel made remarks on Monday night about the September 10 assassination of Kirk.