Not so fast, Mr. Kimmel!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/media/article-15124189/Jimmy-Kimmel-comeback-derailed-major-blow.html

Jimmy Kimmel's comeback to late night has been dealt a massive blow with ABC affiliates refusing to air it in nearly 40 major markets after Disney announced the liberal talk host will return Tuesday.

Sinclair Inc., whose local stations pay to run ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live!, is standing by its policy from last week that it would keep the show off the air indefinitely, though the two sides were in talks.

'Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show's potential return,' the company said. A preemption is when the owners of an affiliate replace national programming with their own.

It came as people across the political spectrum reacted to Kimmel's return, with MAGA raging and Kirk's former co-host Andrew Kolvet writing: 'Disney and ABC caving and allowing Kimmell back on the air is not surprising, but it's their mistake to make. Nextstar and Sinclair do not have to make the same choice.'

The biggest affiliate Sinclair owns is WJLA in Washington, meaning Donald Trump and the nation's other major power players who have watched on with interest in this saga won't be able to watch.

Sinclair had previously said it will refuse to lift the suspension of Kimmel's show on its stations 'until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network's commitment to professionalism and accountability.'

The broadcaster also called on Kimmel to issue a 'direct apology to the Kirk family' and to make a 'meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA.' TPUSA is a conservative college campus group founded by Kirk, with Kimmel a well-known liberal.

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