Jimmy Kimmel

By Joe Lombardi From Daily Voice

Jimmy Kimmel is staying put at ABC, after all. At least for a while.

Parent company Disney extended the late-night funnyman's contract to host "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for at least one more year, through May 2027, according to a report by Bloomberg on Monday, Dec. 8. 

The new deal adds a year to his previous agreement, which was set to expire in 2026, ensuring Kimmel’s late-night presence on ABC rather than shifting to its streaming platforms Hulu or Disney+.

The extension comes after a turbulent fall for Kimmel, who faced a suspension in September following controversial on-air remarks about slain conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.

ABC pulled the show “indefinitely” on Wednesday, Sept. 17, after major affiliate owner Nexstar said it would preempt Kimmel “for the foreseeable future.” Disney said it made the decision to “avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.” 

After “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel, the show returned to air on Tuesday, Sept. 22, Daily Voice previously reported.

Despite the controversy, Kimmel’s new contract reportedly includes no restrictions on his creative freedom. He is believed to earn between $15 million and $20 million annually, including bonuses, according to Variety.

The agreement comes as Disney and ABC continue to navigate the evolving late-night landscape, with speculation swirling about the future of network talk shows and possible moves to streaming. For now, Kimmel’s show remains a cornerstone of ABC’s late-night lineup.

Kimmel, age 57, has hosted and executive produced "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" since 2003, making him the longest-tenured current late-night host in the US. The show has been a staple of ABC’s schedule for more than two decades.

Check back to Daily Voice for updates.