Sinclair's ABC stations backtracked on plans to replace Jimmy Kimmel's slot with a special on Charlie Kirk.

The conglomerate, amid its controversial suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" after comments the comedian made about the conservative commentator's accused killer, said it would replace Kimmel's show with a remembrance special on Kirk. However, the telecommunications company went on to replace Kimmel's show with "Celebrity Family Feud" in the days since, later announcing on social media that it would instead release the Kirk special on YouTube.

"Tonight, Sinclair will continue to air ABC network programming as scheduled in the late-night time period," the company announced late Friday, Sept. 19, on X. "The Charlie Kirk special will instead be available on The National News Desk's YouTube channel, ensuring viewers can continue to enjoy ABC programming while also providing full access to the special online."

It is unclear if "Celebrity Family Feud" will continue to fill the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" slot indefinitely. USA TODAY has reached out to Sinclair for comment.

The shift comes after viewers, late-night peers, politicians and celebrities alike have slammed station owners Sinclair and Nexstar, ABC and parent company Disney. ABC suspended Kimmel's show "indefinitely" after the station owners pulled it from the air, following Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr's criticism of Kimmel's comments.

Sinclair followed up in its own statement that Kimmel's remarks were "inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country." The company also called for Kimmel to issue a direct apology to Kirk's family and to make a personal donation both to the family and Kirk's conservative organization, Turning Point USA.

Protests in support of Kimmel have gained traction, as viewers and the wider entertainment industry lament what his suspension may mean for free speech and government overreach. Carr was appointed FCC chair by President Donald Trump, a close friend of Kirk.

Kimmel's comments took aim at Trump's handling of Kirk's death and what the comedian saw as misplaced blame over the shooting.

"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," Kimmel said in his Sept. 15 monologue. "In between the finger-pointing, there was, uh, grieving on Friday − the White House flew the flags at half-staff, which got some criticism, but on a human level, you can see how hard the president is taking this."

Contributing: Anthony Robledo

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sinclair ABC stations backpedal on replacing Jimmy Kimmel show with Charlie Kirk special

Reporting by Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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