Jimmy Kimmel receives a fresh contract extension from ABC, confirming the late-night host will stay on air till May 2027. President Donald Trump criticised the move, and Kimmel also addressed that in the latest episode.
Late-night television show host Jimmy Kimmel has secured a fresh one-year contract extension with ABC (owned by Disney), keeping his long-running talk show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on the air through at least May 2027. This move comes after a turbulent few months for Kimmel, a period marked by a controversial suspension, public outcry, clashes with major conservative voices, and intense scrutiny over free speech and media independence.
What happened- suspension, return, and ratings surge
In September 2025, ABC decided to
suspend ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ after the host made remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel’s comments, in which he suggested that some in “MAGA land” might try to politicise or exploit Kirk’s death, drew sharp backlash from conservative media, several ABC affiliates, and regulatory scrutiny from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Affiliates owned by major station groups like Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcast Group refused to air the show. The suspension sparked outrage among many in the entertainment industry and free-speech advocates, who condemned the move as politically motivated censorship.
Just days later, following mounting public pressure and backlash, ABC reinstated the show.
Kimmel returned on air with a powerful defence of free speech, and the results were immediate. His post-return episodes quickly became among the most watched in years, with the broadcast drawing roughly 6 million viewers.
Trump wanted the show off air
Throughout this controversy, former President Donald Trump was outspoken. He publicly celebrated the show’s suspension, calling Kimmel “talentless,” mocking his viewership, and urging networks to pull the plug on more late-night hosts. At the time, he said, “Kimmel has ZERO talent” and lauded the decision to take his show off air.
Even after ABC reinstated Kimmel, Trump did not relent. He slammed the network again, questioned their judgement, and threatened possible regulatory or legal action, calling ABC “Fake News” and claiming the show’s return was a politically biased move.
In response, Kimmel didn’t back down. On his return episode, he joked, “You can’t believe they gave me my job back? I can’t believe we gave you your job back.” He also remarked that only Trump would try to prove he wasn’t threatening ABC, by directly threatening ABC. He also added, “I thought we were friends. I’m starting to think he’s got a crush on me.”
“I was giving a lot of thought and decided I would like to spend less time with my family, and so to our audience here and at home. I’m honored and humbled to be a part of your routine. Whether it’s in bed at night, or …during your morning toilet time,” Kimmel said. “It means a lot to me to have your attention – and to work with this great group of people for another year.”
Why this matters
The renewal of Jimmy Kimmel’s contract isn’t simply entertainment-industry news. It reflects a broader battle over media freedom, political influence, and the value of dissent in public discourse. In a time when many voices are under pressure, from regulators, political actors, or corporate backers, ABC’s decision feels like a stand for the principle that creative and journalistic expression shouldn’t be silenced just because it’s uncomfortable.
For Kimmel, it’s also a personal vindication. After nearly a quarter-century on air, he’s still defending the core value behind his show: the ability to speak truth to power, even when it ruffles feathers.
So fans of Jimmy Kimmel and his talk show, we are up for a treat at least till May 2027 “or until the world ends, whichever comes first.”
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