The letter, obtained by CNN on Wednesday soon after it was delivered to Iger, was first drafted when ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last week.

Disney's reinstatement of Jimmy Kimmel over his suspension poses a challenge for Bob Iger's legacy as he battles culture wars and FCC pressure.

More than 100 former ABC News employees including Sam Donaldson, Tom Bettag and Judy Muller have signed on to a letter urging Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger to step it up when it comes to publicly defending journalists under political attacks and the company itself against government pressure.

The reaction from affiliates was not a factor in Disney's move to resume production of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," two insiders tell TheWrap.

Iger, 74, was alarmed by Hollywood's reaction to the Kimmel suspension last week - and how it would affect his wife Willow Bay.

Oliver also sharply criticized President Trump and FCC chairman Brendan Carr and made a plea to Disney CEO Bob Iger not to give in to their demands: "Giving the bully your lunch money doesn't make him go away,

Other than Jimmy Kimmel himself, the only person who had as much to gain or lose on Tuesday night from the comedian’s return to late-night television was Bob Iger, the chief executive officer of Walt Disney Co.

Disney and ABC need to decide if they’re willing to back Jimmy Kimmel even if it means taking a (big) financial hit.