Jimmy Kimmel is set to remain a late-night fixture for at least another year, thanks to a new agreement between the host and ABC. The Jimmy Kimmel talk show extension ensures that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will continue airing through May 2027, marking yet another milestone in the comedian’s long-running late-night career. According to Bloomberg, the deal was finalized months earlier but held back out of respect for Stephen Colbert’s announcement that The Late Show would end in 2026.
Jimmy Kimmel gets one-year extension for talk show in new deal with ABC
Under the ABC deal with the Jimmy Kimmel talk show, Kimmel shared the news privately with his staff. His previous contract was set to expire in May 2026. Kimmel has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, making him one of the longest-tenured hosts in late-night television. Over the years, he has become closely associated with Disney, hosting the Oscars, appearing at major network presentations, and leading the rebooted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
The extension follows a turbulent year that included a brief suspension after comments Kimmel made about activist Charlie Kirk. However, the show saw a surprising ratings jump after his return. In the third quarter, Jimmy Kimmel Live! averaged 1.9 million viewers, ranking second among major late-night programs.
Late-night TV has faced industry-wide challenges as audiences move toward digital platforms. Although clips from Jimmy Kimmel Live! perform strongly online, traditional viewership has declined, prompting networks to adjust budgets. Even so, ABC’s decision to extend Kimmel’s deal highlights his continued influence and ability to draw consistent engagement across platforms.
Kimmel has mentioned the possibility of retirement in the past, especially as late-night TV evolves. Still, according to The New York Times, he did not want to leave the industry at the same time as Colbert. The new ABC agreement gives him flexibility while providing the network with stability during a changing media moment.
With the extension secured, Jimmy Kimmel remains a central figure in shaping the next chapter of late-night comedy, steady, familiar, and still able to attract millions of viewers in an evolving media landscape.
Originally reported by Viha Shah for RealityTea.
