Future of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Question

During a recent conversation, Disney President Dana Walden described the current landscape of late-night television as “a very challenging daypart.” This remark came after a question regarding the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which had faced a brief suspension last year following controversial comments made by host Jimmy Kimmel about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

When asked whether Kimmel will remain with the show, especially since he currently has a one-year contract, Walden refrained from making any announcements, stating, “I’m not going to make that announcement here with you today,” in her interview with Bloomberg.

“The truth is, it’s a very challenging daypart,” she reiterated. While acknowledging Kimmel’s remarkable efforts and rising ratings, she pointed out that these gains are occurring within a decreasing audience for late-night broadcasts on television.

Moreover, Walden mentioned that Kimmel’s significant online presence does not translate into substantial revenue for a high-profile talk show, as traditional on-air advertising generates much more income compared to social media engagements.

She expressed the need to navigate these challenges carefully, saying, “We’re trying to make sense of the business while also honoring a deep partnership.” She added, “I love Jimmy; we have a great friendship. He’s close to a number of the people at Disney.”

Walden also highlighted the ongoing discussions about Kimmel’s desires and the best path for both him and the business. Notably, Kimmel had signed a one-year extension in December 2025 to keep Jimmy Kimmel Live! going through the 2026-27 season, but beyond that, the long-term future remains uncertain.

Speculation about the show’s fate arose last month when a report suggested that Kimmel’s show might “end in 2027 after 24 years on air,” hinting at a lack of renewal for his contract. However, ABC refuted this claim, stressing that any speculation regarding the show’s future is unfounded.

Earlier this year, ABC had implemented significant budget cuts for Kimmel’s show, including a directive to limit musical performances to just two per week—this was a steep reduction from one per broadcast, marking a roughly 60 percent drop.

These budget cuts followed Kimmel’s brief suspension after his contentious remarks about Kirk. Ultimately, under pressure from boycotts and backlash, both Disney and ABC decided to reinstate Jimmy Kimmel Live!.