Jimmy Kimmel is returning to the air, Disney says

Core Points - Disney announced that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will resume airing after a brief suspension due to controversial comments made by Kimmel, which were deemed insensitive at a sensitive time for the country [2][3] - The suspension of Kimmel became a significant cultural issue, attracting criticism from various sectors, including Hollywood and free speech advocates, highlighting the complexities of the broadcast TV industry [3][11] - The controversy was sparked by comments made by FCC chair Brendan Carr regarding Kimmel's remarks about the death of Charlie Kirk, which led to pressure from major companies like Sinclair and Nexstar [4][6] Company Actions - ABC, owned by Disney, initially suspended Kimmel's show to mitigate tensions following the controversial comments, but after discussions with Kimmel, decided to resume the show [3][2] - Sinclair and Nexstar exerted pressure on ABC to take action against Kimmel, with Sinclair demanding an apology and a donation to Kirk's family and Turning Point USA [10][6] - The situation has implications for Nexstar, which is seeking FCC approval for a $6.2 billion merger and thus faced heightened stakes in the controversy [6] Industry Reactions - The suspension of Kimmel drew backlash from notable figures, including former President Barack Obama and late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers, who emphasized the importance of free speech [11][12] - A protest occurred outside Walt Disney Studios in response to Kimmel's suspension, indicating significant public sentiment against the decision [11]