“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” The line landed during a Sept 15, 2025 monologue and, within days, led major station groups to pull the show. Nexstar and Sinclair moved to pre-empt airings, and the FCC chair publicly praised affiliates. That rapid cascade raises questions about free speech, ad dollars, and late night’s future – what should viewers expect next?
What you need to know about the viral line and broadcast pull
• Late-night host Delivered the remark on Sept 15, 2025; network suspended show.
• Nexstar Said it would pre-empt airings; affects 32 ABC stations.
• Sinclair Also announced pulls; removes national distribution for advertisers.
• FCC chair Praised affiliates on X, intensifying regulatory stakes for broadcasters.
Why did one monologue spark a national broadcasting backlash in 2025?
The line’s blunt phrasing turned a messy joke into a nationwide controversy almost overnight. The host’s monologue referenced the Sept 10 killing of Charlie Kirk and framed reactions as political scoring, which conservative outlets widely called inflammatory. If you follow late-night, this moment shows how a single sentence can force programming decisions and advertiser pressure within 48 hours. Did the host intend to signal motive, or merely lampoon the politics around the killing?
Why reactions split across politics and broadcasters this week
Broadcasters and politicians read the line through very different lenses: station groups saw community backlash and regulatory risk, while free-speech advocates warned about chilling effects. Nexstar cited community standards; Sinclair framed its pull as confidence-building for affiliates. At the same time, many viewers treated the remark as careless wording rather than an accusation. How should networks balance local affiliate pressure versus national editorial voice when audiences are so polarized?
I want to thank Nexstar for doing the right thing.
Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest. While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community… https://t.co/Px5boYbqNR
— Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) September 17, 2025
The numbers behind the broadcast shake-up and ad risk in 2025
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Affected affiliates | 32 stations (Nexstar) | Major market pullouts risk national reach |
| Other affiliates | 38 stations (Sinclair) | Further local pre-emptions amplify distribution loss |
| Kimmel ad revenue | $76.6M (2024) | Significant advertiser exposure if distribution shrinks |
Who actually spoke the words and why it matters for late night
Jimmy Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, delivered the line during his Sept 15, 2025 monologue. “We hit some new lows over the weekend…” he said, and his defenders argue the phrasing was misread; critics say it implied a dangerous presumption about the suspect. The speaker matters because his platform reaches millions nightly, and network responses now set a precedent for how political humor is handled when it collides with real-world violence.
What lasts from this moment for broadcasters and viewers in 2025?
Networks will likely tighten editorial sign-off and affiliates may demand more control, shrinking late night’s national punch. Advertisers will watch ratings and distribution closely after these pre-emptions. If you tune into late-night, expect more cautious monologues and fewer national stunts-will that dull the genre or push viewers online instead?
Sources
- https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/nexstar-jimmy-kimmel-abc-charlie-kirk-1236522584/
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jimmy-kimmel-charlie-kirk-comments-interpretation-1236375214/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/17/charlie-kirk-jimmy-kimmel-abc-disney.html
Similar posts:
- “Characterize This Kid Who Killed Charlie Kirk” Sparks Station Boycotts In 2025 – Here’s Why
- “This Is Not How An Adult” Sparks Boycotts And Preemptions In 2025 – Here’s Why
- “It Was Never My Intention” Sparks Station Boycotts In 2025 – Here’s Why
- Nexstar And Sinclair Resume Kimmel On Sept. 26, 2025; Why Affiliates Reversed Course
- Some Of The Sickest Conduct Possible Sparks ABC Pull In 2025 – Here’s Why
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.
Man, that viral line? It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. The backlash was inevitable, but dang, did it stir up some drama! Cant believe how a few words can cause such chaos.
Yeah, man, I was there, I saw it. It was like a disaster waiting to happen, but you couldn’t look away, you know? It caused a huge mess! Who would have thought that one little sentence could cause so much chaos? That’s life, I guess.
Man, that monologue disaster? It felt like watching a slow-motion train wreck — you just couldnt look away. The backlash was like a wildfire, spreading faster than memes during a Twitter feud. What a mess, right?
Hey man, that monologue was a real bloodbath, like a train crash in slow motion—you couldn’t look away. The chain reaction was like a fire spreading faster than memes during a Twitter feud. What a mess, right?
Man, that We Hit Some New Lows mess in 2025? Its like watching a train wreck – cant look away. Some folks must think controversys prime time, huh? What a wild ride!
Oh man, I remember that thing, it was so crazy, it was like a soap opera on steroids! People love drama too much, it draws crowds. But yeah, it was a wild roller coaster ride, impossible to look away. When’s the next episode of this crazy soap opera?
Man, that whole debacle with the broadcast and that cringy line in 2025? It was like watching a trainwreck in slow motion. Cant believe they thought that was a good idea. The backlash was well-deserved, if you ask me.
Man, that monologue was like watching a turtle race a snail. Slow and painful. Whoever greenlit that needs a reality check. Are they trying to break records for the worst ratings ever or what?
Man, I remember that whole debacle in 2025! It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. The backlash was insane, and everyone had an opinion on it. Gotta love the drama, though.
Oh man, I totally remember that mess in 2025! It was like a dumpster fire in slow-mo, right? The drama was off the charts, everyone and their grandma had something to say about it. Gotta admit, the chaos was kinda addictive, though. Whats your take on it now?