ABC Reinstates Jimmy Kimmel Live After Week-Long Suspension

ABC reinstated Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 23 after briefly pulling the late-night program on September 17 following a contentious monologue by host Jimmy Kimmel, a move that sparked a standoff with several station groups, criticism from the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, widespread public reaction, and questions from shareholders about the company’s decision-making. The suspension and subsequent return unfolded over a week of intense public scrutiny and, according to a company insider, coincided with a sharp spike in streaming cancellations for the broadcaster’s parent company.

Network executives removed Kimmel from the air two days after his September 15 opening monologue, a decision that came after the FCC chairman publicly criticized Kimmel’s remarks and suggested regulatory scrutiny. Two major station groups announced they would preempt the show, prompting ABC to pause broadcasts. Kimmel returned to ABC on September 23; the station groups resumed carriage days later, restoring national coverage.

A Disney insider told reporters that the company recorded more than 1.7 million paid streaming cancellations across its streaming portfolio between September...