Jimmy Kimmel Live will remain on the air until at least May 2027, thanks to a newly signed one-year contract extension for host Jimmy Kimmel. The news, confirmed by Entertainment Weekly, follows a previous deal that was set to expire in May 2026. Bloomberg was the first to report this development.
The contract extension comes on the heels of a tumultuous period for Kimmel’s show. In September, Jimmy Kimmel Live was pulled from ABC’s lineup after the host made controversial comments regarding the death of conservative pundit Charlie Kirk. Although he was reinstated in less than a week amidst a broader conversation about freedom of speech, issues persisted with local TV station owners Nexstar and Sinclair, who continued to preempt Kimmel’s show even after Disney, which owns ABC, lifted the suspension.
Kimmel’s tenure as a late-night host has been marked by high-profile clashes, particularly with former President Donald Trump, who has publicly criticized Kimmel and called for his firing. In response to Kimmel’s prominence in late-night television, Trump expressed his disdain on social media, questioning why ABC maintains the show despite what he characterized as low talent and poor ratings.
Despite the challenges, Kimmel’s ability to stay in the late-night game highlights the resilience and popularity of his program. As discussions around freedom of expression and media integrity continue, Kimmel’s extension promises to bring his unique brand of humor and perspective to audiences for at least another few years.
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