Media conglomerate Sinclair will replace the Friday timeslot of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” with a Charlie Kirk tribute special.
In addition, the company is demanding that Kimmel apologize to Kirk’s family and send donations to them and Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA.
The news comes after Sinclair and Nexstar, another major ABC affiliate owner, both pulled the late night show from its ABC stations in response to Kimmel’s recent comments about Kirk’s killing. Shortly after those decisions, ABC suspended production on the show indefinitely.
“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” Sinclair’s vice chairman Jason Smith said in a statement. “We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities. We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.”
More to come…