Walt Disney Co. has confirmed a new contract with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel that will keep his show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, on ABC through May 2027. This announcement comes months after the program faced a brief suspension due to Kimmel’s comments concerning GOP activist Charlie Kirk.
The extension agreement was reportedly finalized several months ago, but Disney opted to delay the announcement to respect the timeline of fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert. CBS had disclosed that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is set to conclude in May 2026. Kimmel’s situation became more complex following his controversial remarks about Kirk, which drew backlash and criticism from former President Donald Trump, resulting in a temporary suspension of his show.
Following the suspension, Kimmel returned to the air on September 23, 2023, stating, “it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” His return monologue, titled “Jimmy Kimmel is Back,” quickly gained traction, amassing over 23 million views on YouTube, making it the most-watched monologue from Kimmel on the platform.
Kimmel’s contract renewal is notable given the ongoing challenges faced by late-night television. As younger audiences increasingly turn to digital platforms, traditional late-night shows have struggled to maintain their viewership. Despite the large online audiences that hosts like Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon attract, the revenue generated from digital clips often falls short of supporting the extensive production costs associated with these shows.
The landscape of late-night television is evolving, and Kimmel’s extension reflects both his enduring popularity and the complexities that come with maintaining a traditional format in a changing media environment.
