Disney's ABC network canceled (suspended) Jimmy Kimmel's late-night talk show indefinitely in September 2025 due to mounting political pressure from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr and several ABC affiliates. The controversy arose after Kimmel made remarks during his monologue about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which conservatives viewed as offensive and politically biased. The FCC chairman threatened punitive actions, including the potential revocation of broadcast licenses, prompting Disney executives to take the show off air temporarily to deescalate tensions. The suspension led to widespread backlash from political leaders, entertainers, and audiences, including boycotts against Disney streaming services and a significant drop in subscriptions. Disney cited concerns about the timing and sensitivity of Kimmel's comments and the safety of employees and advertisers as reasons for the suspension. Negotiations followed, with Kimmel refusing to apologize but willing to clarify his remarks. After a week- long suspension and considerable financial impact on Disney, the company planned to reinstate the show, although some ABC affiliates initially refused to air it. In summary, Disney canceled Jimmy Kimmel's show due to political and regulatory pressure triggered by controversial comments Kimmel made about a politically sensitive incident, combined with concerns over public backlash, safety, and financial impact on the company.
