Nexstar Media Group announced on Tuesday that it will continue to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its ABC affiliates, pulling the late-night show from dozens of local stations. This decision comes as Jimmy Kimmel is set to make his return to the air. Nexstar stated that its stations would continue to focus on producing local news and programming relevant to their markets, while monitoring the show as it resumes on ABC.

This move follows a similar decision by Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which declared on Monday that it would not air the talk show on its nearly 40 ABC affiliates. Both broadcasting giants have taken this step in response to what were described by ABC as "ill-timed and insensitive" comments made by Kimmel, which stirred significant controversy at a delicate time in national discourse.

Nexstar's statement emphasized a commitment to fostering an environment of respectful and constructive dialogue in the communities it serves. “We made a decision last week to preempt ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ and we stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to this environment,” the company noted.

Nexstar is the largest local broadcasting group in the country, owning about 30 ABC affiliates in key markets including Nashville, New Orleans, and Salt Lake City. Sinclair also holds a significant number of affiliates, including those serving major areas like Washington, D.C., and its suburbs.

ABC parent company Disney announced on Monday that it would resume airing "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" after a brief suspension aimed at cooling off tensions. The suspension had sparked widespread criticism from different political spheres, raising concerns about censorship, especially after comments from Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr about investigating the affiliates over Kimmel’s remarks.

The controversy comes at a critical time for Nexstar, which is currently seeking a merger with Tegna, a deal that requires FCC approval.

Disney's decision to bring back the show was based on "thoughtful conversations with Jimmy,” leading to a consensus on a return this Tuesday. This development indicates an attempt to move past the incident and focus on dialogue and entertainment in the late-night landscape.