Here’s What Jimmy Kimmel Is Planning at Disney as New Deal Is Revealed

Jimmy Kimmel will be staying at Disney for at least a few more years. The comedian and ABC have agreed on a new deal that will keep him as the host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” through 2027, according to three people familiar with the agreement. Kimmel’s previous contract was set to expire in 2026.

Bloomberg first reported details of the deal, which comes after Disney temporarily pulled Kimmel’s show from the schedule in September.

The move followed complaints from two major owners of TV stations, Nexstar and Sinclair, over a monologue in which Kimmel discussed Charlie Kirk, a young Republican figure who was assassinated. Kimmel confirmed the contract extension on Instagram, joking, “I am pleased to announce another no-talent year!”

The new deal should reassure fans of late-night television, especially at a time when the format has been shrinking. CBS recently announced it will end Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” in May 2025 as the network exits the traditional late-night business.

Audiences for these programs have been declining as viewers move toward streaming platforms. Many late-night producers now focus as much on YouTube subscriber counts as traditional TV ratings.

One source said that Disney and Kimmel actually signed the one-year extension over the summer, before the controversy over the Charlie Kirk segment arose. While talent deals in late-night TV often last around three years, Kimmel has previously considered stepping back from his role. He has hosted “Jimmy Kimmel Live” since January 2003, making him one of the longest-running late-night hosts on television today.

Staffers and executives note that the late-night format has been in decline for years. Younger viewers tend to watch shows on demand, not at a scheduled time. Despite this, hosts like Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert continue to attract large audiences and generate headlines and digital content that networks and advertisers value.

However, the number of regular shows and episodes has decreased. Friday episodes are now rare, with Fallon’s “Tonight Show” being the last to give up the fifth night.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!