ABC renewed Jimmy Kimmel’s contract for one additional year, keeping Jimmy Kimmel Live! on air through May 2027 despite months of controversy and public criticism. The decision follows the network’s temporary suspension of the host earlier this fall after he made inflammatory remarks regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. ABC’s parent company, The Walt Disney Company, ultimately opted to move forward with the extension even as conservative audiences voiced strong objections.
Kimmel, 58, was originally under contract until May 2026, and reports indicate the extension had been privately agreed upon months in advance. Public announcement of the deal was delayed first out of deference to Stephen Colbert’s show ending and later due to escalating backlash surrounding Kimmel’s comments. The network’s choice to reaffirm its support signals a continued commitment to its long-time host, regardless of the political uproar surrounding his program.
The suspension triggered intense national debate over media double standards, political bias, and whether major networks enforce policies consistently across ideological lines. After returning to air roughly a week later, Kimmel resumed his typical commentary, continuing to target high-profile conservatives, including repeated attacks on President Trump and his supporters.
Ratings appear to have influenced the final decision. Viewership after his return stabilized enough for ABC to justify extending the show, suggesting profitability outweighed concerns about public blowback. The renewal ensures Kimmel will remain a central figure in late-night television, keeping ABC aligned with its current political and entertainment direction for at least one more season. The decision signals that ABC remains firmly committed to its current late-night strategy, regardless of ongoing criticism from conservative viewers and media watchdogs
