Updated Sep 22, 2025 - Business

Disney bringing Jimmy Kimmel back Tuesday

Sara Fischer

Jimmy Kimmel in Beverly Hills, California, in May. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation

The Walt Disney Company said it will bring back "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Tuesday after taking the show off-air nearly a week ago following criticism over his comments in the wake of Charlie Kirk's killing.

Why it matters: Pressure was beginning to mount on Disney and ABC from celebrities, policymakers and fans.

On Monday, over 400 actors, musicians and creatives signed a letter alongside the ACLU to pressure Disney over Kimmel's suspension.
Prominent media figures such as Cynthia Nixon and Howard Stern said they would cancel their Disney+ subscriptions.

What they're saying: "Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country," Disney said in a statement on Monday announcing the show's return.

"It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday."

Yes, but: Sinclair said Monday evening it plans to continue pre-empting "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

What to watch: Kimmel has been privately negotiating his return with Disney for days, but has yet to make any public comments about the incident since his show was pulled off air.

More from Axios:

Editor's note: This article has been updated with details of Sinclair's announcement.

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Disney bringing Jimmy Kimmel back Tuesday

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