Nexstar released a statement on Friday, announcing the return of Kimmel's shows to its airwaves and saying the company "remains committed to protecting the First Amendment while producing and airing local and national news that is fact-based and unbiased and, above all, broadcasting content that is in the best interest of the communities we serve."

Two major TV station owners, Sinclair and Nexstar, said they would return "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to the air Friday after preempting the show last week.

The two local television giants pulled "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" last week amid criticism of the host's comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel's Friday, Sept. 26 comments come after an escalator malfunction during Trump's Tuesday, Sept. 23 visit to the United Nations headquarters

Sinclair and Nexstar pulled the show after the Trump-appointed chair of America's broadcast watchdog threatened to revoke ABC's licence - prompting the network to suspend Kimmel and triggering a fierce debate about free speech.

Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night show just less than a week after network broadcaster ABC pulled "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" over remarks he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The local TV giants backed away from opting to preempt the show on their ABC stations, which impacted nearly one quarter of the country.

Sinclair and Nexstar, the two major station groups that preempted the talk show earlier this month, are allowing the show to return to their ABC-affiliated stations on Friday evening.

The major broadcasting groups said in statements the late-night talk show will return to their TV stations on Friday.