Media giant Sinclair called on Jimmy Kimmel to apologize directly to the Charlie Kirk family over the remarks he made about the conservative activist’s killing, and to give both them and Turning Point USA a “meaningful personal donation”.

Sinclair, which owns a number of ABC affiliates, had told ABC that it would indefinitely preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! prior to the show’s suspension by the network.

The controversy centered on remarks Kimmel made in a recent monologue in which he floated that the suspect in the killing of Kirk, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, could be aligned with “the MAGA gang” or possibly “one of them.”

The Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates the networks, has also sharply criticized Kimmel’s comments, putting greater political and business pressure on the companies to take action.

“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” said Sinclair’s Vice Chairman Jason Smith in a statement.

“We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities.”

Smith continued that “this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.”

Sinclair did not specify its plans for the 11:35 p.m. time slot that usually airs Kimmel’s show, except for Friday, when it will broadcast a one-hour tribute to Kirk on its ABC affiliates. Other Sinclair-owned stations will carry the special over the weekend, and the company has offered it to other ABC-affiliated stations nationwide.

According to the release, Sinclair’s station will not lift the suspension of Kimmel’s show until “formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.”

It added: “Regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the program, Sinclair intends not to return ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ to our air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”

This is a developing article. Updates to follow.