Jimmy Kimmel’s Late-Night Show Reportedly Ending After Next Season, ABC Pushes Back

Jimmy Kimmel has spent more than two decades behind the desk of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, making him one of the most familiar faces in American late-night TV. His run began in 2003, and after all these years, his show has become one of ABC’s biggest late-night staples. Now, however, there is growing talk that Kimmel could be getting ready to leave the job that has defined a huge part of his career.

The latest reports started with Page Six, which claimed that Jimmy Kimmel Live! could end after its upcoming season. According to the report, Kimmel’s current contract is not expected to be renewed when it expires in May 2027. That would bring his long run on ABC to a possible close, although nothing has been officially announced by the network or Kimmel himself.

TMZ later reported similar information, adding another interesting detail to the story. According to its sources, people working around Kimmel have been discussing the possibility that he could be looking at other projects. That reportedly includes ideas for new television shows and podcasts. If true, it could suggest that Kimmel is thinking about what his career might look like once his late-night show eventually comes to an end.

ABC, though, is pushing back against the reports. A network spokesperson told E! News that the information being reported is inaccurate and described the claims about the show’s future as speculation. That means there is currently no official confirmation that Jimmy Kimmel Live! is ending after the next season. For now, the show remains on the schedule, and Kimmel is continuing to host it.

Still, the rumors have gained attention because Kimmel has talked about leaving before. His recent contract situation has also made things a little more interesting. Instead of signing another long-term deal, Kimmel has reportedly been working on a year-to-year basis. He has also spoken publicly about the idea of eventually stepping away from late night, so the possibility of retirement is not completely out of nowhere.

Kimmel’s current deal goes back to a three-year agreement he signed in 2022, which took him through 2027. Over the years, he has made it clear that working in late night can be exhausting, and he has already made changes to his schedule. His regular summer breaks have given him more time away from the show, something that could become even more important if he is seriously considering life after late night.

The past year has also been one of the most dramatic periods of Kimmel’s career. ABC temporarily took Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air after comments Kimmel made about the killing of Charlie Kirk. The situation quickly became a national controversy, with FCC chairman Brendan Carr calling on local broadcasters to consider dropping the program. Stations owned by Nexstar and Sinclair also preempted the show after ABC brought it back.

That controversy added another layer to Kimmel’s already public political battles, including his ongoing feud with President Trump. Despite all of that, Kimmel returned to the air and continued doing what he has done for years. He recently started another season and also received an Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Game Show for his work on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

For now, there is no clear answer about what comes next. Page Six and TMZ have raised serious questions about Kimmel’s future, while ABC says the reports are inaccurate and speculative. Kimmel himself has not confirmed that he plans to leave, so fans may have to wait until closer to 2027 to learn whether this really is the final chapter of his late-night career or simply another round of retirement rumors.

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