ABC and Kimmel renew deal
Jimmy Kimmel will continue hosting his late-night show on ABC after signing a one-year extension. A source familiar with the matter confirmed the agreement, which follows weeks of uncertainty after the network suspended the show in September. The new deal keeps
Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC until at least May 2027.
Political controversy and suspension
ABC suspended the show after comments Kimmel made during a monologue about the reaction to activist Charlie Kirk’s death. He questioned the political motives of the person accused of killing Kirk, which led to strong criticism from conservative leaders. Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr called the monologue “the sickest conduct possible.” Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, two major owners of ABC affiliate stations, said they would pre-empt the show following the controversy. The suspension lasted nearly a week. During that time, many viewers said the network’s action limited Kimmel’s right to free speech. Some called for boycotts of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN, all owned by Disney, which also owns ABC.
Highest ratings
After public pressure and growing debate, ABC brought the show back on air. Kimmel’s first episode after the suspension drew about 6.3 million viewers, making it the show’s highest-rated regularly scheduled episode in more than ten years. Disney said his opening monologue gained over 26 million views on YouTube and other social media platforms within 24 hours.
Kimmel's decision
Bloomberg News first reported the extension. Kimmel, who is 58, has often said he is unsure how long he plans to continue hosting. At Bloomberg’s Screentime conference in October, he said he had changed his mind several times after saying a contract might be his last. He added that early announcements can cause stress for his staff, so he prefers to make decisions privately.
