ABC Pushes Back on Report That Jimmy Kimmel Live Will End in 2027
Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been reported to be heading toward an end in 2027 after 24 years on ABC, but the network has denied that a decision has been made. The report appeared as Jimmy Kimmel returned to the show for its 24th season on September 8, 2026, with ABC calling claims about its future inaccurate and speculative.
Page Six reported that Kimmel’s current contract is not expected to be extended beyond May 2027. A source familiar with the situation told the publication, ‘His contract is not getting extended.’ The report said the upcoming season could therefore become the final season of the long-running late-night program.
ABC rejected that account. An ABC Entertainment spokesperson said, ‘This information is inaccurate — any reports about the future of the show at this point are purely speculative.’
Kimmel’s contract runs through May 2027
Kimmel signed a one-year contract extension with ABC in December 2025, keeping him on the network through at least May 2027. The agreement was shorter than his previous multi-year deals and immediately raised questions about his long-term future with the program.
ABC News reported at the time that Kimmel would remain with the network through May 2027. He has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since its debut on January 26, 2003.
The show began at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre in Hollywood and became one of ABC’s longest-running late-night programs. Kimmel has now hosted the series for nearly 24 years and is among the longest-serving late-night hosts in American television.
Uncertainty followed the one-year renewal
Kimmel had already acknowledged uncertainty about what would happen after his current agreement. In June 2026, he said that ABC had not yet started discussions with him about the period after his contract expires in May 2027.
The shorter renewal also came after Kimmel had faced questions about whether he wanted to continue in late night. He had previously spoken about retirement and the possibility of stepping away from the demanding schedule of a nightly television program.
Kimmel’s wife and executive producer, Molly McNearney, has also discussed the possibility of his retirement. The couple have spoken about the personal and professional factors involved in deciding how long he should continue hosting the show.
Report comes after a turbulent year
The latest report follows a difficult period for Jimmy Kimmel Live!. In September 2025, ABC temporarily took the program off the air following backlash over Kimmel’s comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The show returned later that month after the suspension. The incident also led to wider political and regulatory scrutiny of ABC, while Kimmel continued to criticize efforts to pressure broadcasters over late-night programming.
In 2026, the broader late-night television landscape also changed significantly. CBS ended The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, bringing another long-running network late-night program to a close.
Reports about Kimmel’s possible departure have raised questions about whether the changing economics of late-night television could affect ABC’s plans. However, sources cited in the current reporting said the possible end of Kimmel’s program was not being attributed to his political views.
The show returns for season 24
Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned for its 24th season on September 8, 2026, following the program’s regular summer break. During the break, ABC used guest hosts including Rosie O’Donnell, Jelly Roll, Tiffany Haddish, Anthony Anderson, Ike Barinholtz and Colman Domingo.
The guest-host period also generated attention for the program, with Rosie O’Donnell’s appearance drawing strong online interest. Kimmel’s return marks the continuation of the show while questions about its future remain unresolved.
Kimmel also continues to have other work with ABC. He hosts Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and recently received an Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Game Show for his work on the program.
ABC has not announced a cancellation
For now, Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains scheduled to continue through the 2026-27 television season under Kimmel’s existing contract. Although the Page Six report said the contract would not be extended beyond May 2027, ABC has publicly rejected the claim that the show’s future has already been decided.
Kimmel’s current agreement guarantees his late-night hosting duties through May 2027. Any decision about a renewal or the end of Jimmy Kimmel Live! beyond that point has not been officially announced by ABC.