New Details Reveal Jimmy Kimmel’s Future at Disney

Jimmy Kimmel will stay on ABC for a few more years. The comedian has signed a new deal with Disney that keeps him as the host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” through 2027, according to three people familiar with the contract. His previous deal was expected to end in 2026.

Bloomberg reported early details of the agreement. The new contract comes after Disney temporarily pulled Kimmel’s show from the schedule in September.

Two large owners of TV stations, Nexstar and Sinclair, had complained about a monologue in which Kimmel discussed Charlie Kirk, a young Republican figure who was assassinated. Kimmel confirmed the deal on Instagram, writing, “I am pleased to announce another no-talent year!”

The extension is a relief for late-night viewers. Many late-night programs are shrinking as audiences move from traditional TV to streaming.

CBS recently announced it will end Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” in May 2025. Producers now watch online platforms like YouTube closely to measure a show’s popularity.

According to one source, Disney and Kimmel signed the one-year extension over the summer, before the controversy over the Charlie Kirk segment.

Most late-night contracts last around three years, but Kimmel has considered stepping back from his role in recent years. He has hosted “Jimmy Kimmel Live” since January 2003, making him one of the longest-running late-night hosts today.

Industry insiders say the late-night format is changing. Younger viewers prefer streaming and on-demand content over watching shows at a set time.

Still, hosts like Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert continue to draw audiences and generate online attention. But the number of episodes and full-week schedules has dropped. Friday episodes are now rare, with Fallon’s “Tonight Show” the last to give up the fifth night.

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