Several US television stations have said they will not broadcast Jimmy Kimmel Live! even after ABC, owned by Disney, announced the return of the late-night show.
The decision comes a week after the comedian was suspended for remarks on the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which many considered insensitive.
Nexstar and Sinclair, which operate numerous ABC-affiliated stations, confirmed they would continue replacing the show with regular programming on Tuesday.
"Mr Kimmel's remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country," said Sinclair vice-chairman Jason Smith.
Kimmel's show was pulled from the air last week following his monologue about Kirk's shooting, which sparked widespread backlash.
Nexstar, one of the largest TV station owners in the country, stated on Tuesday: "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 is also seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission to acquire rival Tegna for $6.2 billion, a deal that requires regulatory clearance.
Sinclair reiterated its stance earlier Monday, saying it would "preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replace it with news programming." The company added that discussions with ABC are ongoing as it considers the show's potential return. Together, Nexstar and Sinclair control more than 20 percent of ABC’s affiliated stations.
In his first post since the suspension, Kimmel shared an Instagram photo with Norman Lear, the late TV writer and activist famous for tackling societal issues through shows like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, and Maude.
Tuesday’s return episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! will feature actor Glen Powell and several other celebrities, with British singer Yungblud as the musical guest.
During his controversial monologue on September 15, Kimmel criticized US President Donald Trump and his allies, saying they were "desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them" and attempting to "score political points from it." He also compared Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s murder to "how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish."
The FCC chairman, a Trump appointee, accused Kimmel of misleading viewers, noting that officials had described the 22-year-old suspect as "deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology."
Disney confirmed the show’s return on Monday, saying the suspension was due to "some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive." The company added, "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."
Kimmel’s comeback coincides with Disney increasing prices on four of its streaming plans.
