Sinclair pulls the plug on late-night satire, triggering backlash, boycotts, and political fire
It started with static. Then silence. Then outrage.
On September 24, 2025, Sinclair Broadcast Group announced it would preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! across more than 60 ABC affiliates nationwide. The move was immediate. No warning. No explanation. Just a blackout.
The keyword #SinclairShutdown exploded across social media. Viewers were stunned. Kimmel was speechless. And the media world lit up.
The Cut Heard Round the Country
According to Fox News, the decision came after Kimmel aired a monologue criticizing Sinclair’s political donations and editorial practices. He joked about their “robot anchors” and called the company “America’s propaganda pipeline.”
Sinclair responded with silence. Then action.
“We reserve the right to program content that reflects our values,” said Sinclair spokesperson Dana Reeve. “This is not censorship. It’s curattion.”
But critics aren’t buying it. Media watchdogs say the move is unprecedented. Kimmel’s show is one of ABC’s top late-night programs. Pulling it without warning is “a direct attack on satire,” said Columbia journalism professor Malik Jones.
The Rise of Sinclair Shutdown
Within hours, the hashtag Sinclair Shutdown was trending on Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit. Viewers posted clips of blank screens. Some showed local news anchors awkwardly filling airtime. Others showed reruns of America’s Funniest Home Videos replacing Kimmel’s slot.
Google Trends ranked Sinclair Shutdown in the top 5 U.S. search terms on September 24. Memes flooded the internet. One showed Kimmel’s face pixelated with the caption: “This content has been deemed too funny for your region.”
“This is media manipulation,” tweeted journalist Soledad O’Brien. “Sinclair is trying to erase dissent with a remote control.”
Political Fallout
The shutdown has triggered political backlash. Senator Elizabeth Warren called for an FCC investigation. Representative Matt Gaetz praised Sinclair’s decision, calling Kimmel “a leftist clown with a microphone.”
President Trump weighed in during a rally in Ohio. “Jimmy Kimmel’s not funny,” he said. “Sinclair did the right thing. We need truth, not jokes.”
Kimmel has not responded publicly. But sources close to ABC say the network is reviewing its affiliate contracts. Legal action is possible.
Viewer Boycotts Begin
Across the country, viewers are organizing boycotts. Some are canceling cable packages. Others are flooding Sinclair’s customer service lines. A Change.org petition titled “Bring Back Kimmel” has reached 1.2 million signatures.
“I don’t even like Kimmel,” said one Reddit user. “But I hate being told what I can’t watch.”
Streaming platforms are capitalizing. Hulu reported a 17% spike in late-night viewership. YouTube clips of Kimmel’s banned monologue have racked up over 12 million views.
The Bigger Picture
Sinclair owns or operates nearly 200 television stations. Its influence spans politics, sports, and local news. Critics say the company has a history of pushing conservative narratives through scripted segments.
“This isn’t just about Jimmy Kimmel,” said media analyst Rachel Lin. “It’s about who controls the signal. And what they choose to silence.”
The shutdown has reignited debates over media consolidation. The FCC is under pressure to review Sinclair’s licensing. Advocacy groups are calling for transparency in affiliate programming decisions.
