Jimmy Kimmel isn’t leaving the late-night throne anytime soon. The Emmy-winning host has officially signed a one-year contract extension with ABC, ensuring that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will continue through the 2026–27 TV season.
The move cements Kimmel’s status as one of television’s longest-running and most resilient late-night figures—especially after a whirlwind year filled with controversy, comeback moments, and headline-grabbing feuds.
According to Bloomberg, the new deal extends his current contract, which was set to end in May 2026. It’s a short but significant renewal for the 56-year-old host, who’s been at ABC’s helm since 2003.
The decision comes on the heels of a turbulent stretch for Kimmel, who was briefly suspended earlier this year after making controversial remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s murder. The fallout sparked heated debates across social media and within the network—but his return episode pulled in record-breaking ratings, silencing skeptics and reaffirming his staying power.
“I thought it was curtains,” Kimmel later joked to fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert. “I was convinced I’d never be back on air.”
Despite pressure from major ABC affiliates including Sinclair and Nexstar, Kimmel’s break was short-lived. His comeback, paired with his ongoing public jabs at former President Donald Trump, has kept Jimmy Kimmel Live! in the cultural conversation and on the frontlines of political satire.
When asked in October about his future plans, Kimmel remained coy. “I’m notorious for saying one thing and doing another,” he said. “The last three times I signed, I swore each contract would be my swan song. I’ve learned to keep mum—it just stresses out my team.”
At The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment brunch last week, Kimmel’s wife and head writer, Molly McNearney, addressed his earlier suspension, applauding the courage of those in media who “hold power to account.” Kimmel introduced her with a trademark jab: “Not the FCC, not ABC’s standards and practices, not even President Trump himself has done more to censor me than Molly McNearney.”
For now, Kimmel’s fans can rest easy—his mix of sharp political humor, Hollywood mockery, and heart-on-sleeve moments isn’t going anywhere, at least through 2027.
