why did abc reinstate jimmy kimmel

ABC reinstated Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show after suspending it for about a week due to controversial remarks he made in response to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Disney, ABC's parent company, initially suspended the show citing concerns that Kimmel's comments were ill-timed and lacked sensitivity during a tense moment nationally. However, after meaningful discussions with Kimmel and significant backlash—including financial losses, subscriber cancellations, and pressure from the creative community and free speech advocates—Disney decided to bring the show back to air. The suspension also faced criticism as a form of censorship, and some major affiliate groups who initially boycotted the show have continued to replace it with local news content despite the reinstatement. The decision was influenced heavily by business considerations as well as public and industry pressure, as Disney lost nearly $5 billion in stock value and experienced cancellations on its streaming platforms during the suspension. The company's CEO Bob Iger was personally involved in the negotiations to bring Kimmel back. Kimmel's return to air was scheduled for Tuesday night at the regular time on ABC and streaming platforms, though some affiliates continued to refuse broadcasting the show.