NEW YORK (Sept. 22, 2025) – After six days off the air, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return on Tuesday, Sept. 23, Disney confirmed. The reversal follows intense backlash against Kimmel’s suspension last week, triggered by on-air remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Disney said the decision to suspend Kimmel was intended to “avoid further inflaming a tense situation” and acknowledged the host’s monologue was “ill-timed and thus insensitive.” But after what the company described as “thoughtful conversations,” the network is putting him back on the air. (AP News)
The Backdrop
- The controversy: Kimmel criticized efforts by conservative figures to politicize Kirk’s murder, linking the shooter to MAGA-aligned groups.
- Immediate reaction: ABC affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their lineups. FCC Chair Brendan Carr weighed in, saying Kimmel’s comments were misleading and warning of possible regulatory scrutiny.
- Disney’s response: On Sept. 17, ABC suspended Kimmel “indefinitely.” (Politico)
The suspension drew fire from civil liberties groups, fellow late-night hosts, and more than 400 entertainers who signed an ACLU letter condemning the decision as an assault on free speech. (The Guardian)
Celebrity Cancellations and Protests
A wave of entertainers, actors, and musicians have cancelled Disney subscriptions, or otherwise withdrawn support, in protest.
| Name | Action | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Howard Stern | Cancelled Disney+ subscription. | People |
| Paul Graham (Y Combinator cofounder) | Cancelled Disney+ with family. | Business Insider |
| Tatiana Maslany | Urged fans to cancel Disney+, Hulu, ESPN. | EW |
| Amy Landecker | Posted proof of her Disney+ cancellation. | EW |
| Cynthia Nixon | Cancelled Disney+ and Hulu, citing the First Amendment. | Vulture |
| Sarah McLachlan | Cancelled her performance at Disney-backed Lilith Fairdocumentary premiere. | NY Post |
| Jewel | Also pulled out of the Lilith Fair premiere. | NY Post |
| Misha Collins | Confirmed cancellation of Disney+ and Hulu. | Newsweek |
Cancellation Surge & Market Fallout
- Disney+ & Hulu cancellation pages overloaded: Reports surfaced of cancellation portals crashing under heavy demand as users tried to unsubscribe. (Yahoo)
- Trending boycott hashtags: #CancelDisneyPlus and #CancelHulu trended widely on X, with many users posting screenshots of cancelled accounts. (Newsweek)
- Financial jitters: Disney’s stock dipped more than 2% after the suspension, with estimates suggesting a $3.8 billion hit in market value amid boycott pressure. (Inside the Magic)
- Revenue risk: Analysts warn Disney could lose “millions per month” in subscription revenue if cancellations hold. So far, Disney has not disclosed exact churn numbers tied to the controversy. (Yahoo)
What To Watch Next
- Affiliate decisions: Nexstar and Sinclair may not immediately return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to their ABC stations, which could limit the comeback.
- Regulatory oversight: FCC scrutiny remains possible if accusations persist that political pressure shaped ABC’s suspension.
- Free speech precedent: The episode is now a test case for how corporate media balance affiliate pressure, political reaction, and First Amendment protections.
Bottom Line
Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return Tuesday, but Disney faces more than a programming challenge. The suspension has triggered celebrity boycotts, subscriber cancellations, and market jitters that could reshape its relationship with viewers. Whether Kimmel’s return calms tensions, or accelerates a wider backlash, may determine if this is a temporary flashpoint or a lasting turning point for Disney and late-night television.
