Jimmy Kimmel Secures One-Year Extension, Keeps ABC Late-Night Slot Until 2027

ABC has confirmed that Jimmy Kimmel will remain at the network’s late-night helm for at least another year, extending his existing agreement through May 2027. The new deal assures that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”—already one of the longest-running talk shows in U.S. television—will continue broadcasting from its Hollywood studio into a 25th consecutive season.

The extension adds 12 months to Kimmel’s previous contract, which was set to expire in 2026. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the commitment positions the comedian to complete a quarter-century on the same program. Kimmel, 58, launched “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC in January 2003, joining a competitive late-night landscape that included “The Tonight Show,” “Late Show,” and “Late Night.”

Maintaining consistent ratings in the coveted 18-to-49 demographic, the series has become a staple of ABC’s programming strategy. The network airs the show weeknights from the El Capitan Entertainment Centre on Hollywood Boulevard, delivering a blend of celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, and live music performances. Kimmel’s conversational approach and recurring segments such as “Mean Tweets” have contributed to the show’s cross-platform popularity and strong social-media presence.

Kimmel’s influence at ABC extends beyond late night. He currently moderates prime-time episodes of the quiz show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”, reviving the format for a contemporary audience. In addition, he remains linked to some of the entertainment industry’s highest-profile events. Kimmel has hosted the Academy Awards three times, most recently in March 2024, becoming one of only a handful of presenters to guide the ceremony on multiple occasions. The Oscars telecast, overseen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, attracts a global audience and underscores ABC’s partnership with the film community.

The Walt Disney Company, parent entity of both Disney Entertainment and ABC News, continues to rely on familiar personalities to anchor key time slots. Network executives have cited Kimmel’s experience and reliability as valuable assets amid an evolving media environment that includes streaming competition and shifting viewer habits. The extension suggests a strategic emphasis on stability while ABC develops other late-night and variety formats for its digital platforms.

Industry analysts note that the late-night field has undergone significant change since Kimmel’s debut. Audience fragmentation, on-demand streaming, and the rise of social-media highlights have altered how viewers engage with talk shows. Despite these trends, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” retains a dedicated live audience and frequently generates viral clips, supporting the advertiser-funded broadcast model that ABC still depends on during overnight hours.

Scheduling flexibility remains a feature of Kimmel’s contract. In prior agreements, the host received extended summer hiatuses, allowing him to pursue side projects and personal commitments. While details of the updated arrangement were not specified, similar provisions are expected. Kimmel’s production company, Jackhole Productions, co-produces the program with ABC Signature, a division of Disney Television Studios.

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Guest hosts have occasionally filled in during Kimmel’s absences, a practice adopted more regularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. That framework gives ABC a bench of on-air talent and offers Kimmel periodic breaks without interrupting the show’s broadcast schedule. The network has not announced any immediate changes to the format, band lineup, or house announcer roles.

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” premiered at midnight before moving to 11:35 p.m. in 2013, following a time-slot realignment designed to compete directly with “The Tonight Show” and “Late Show.” That move solidified ABC’s presence in the traditional late-night window and contributed to ratings growth. The extension through 2027 guarantees program continuity as ABC weighs future transitions in the era of cord-cutting and multiplatform distribution.

Kimmel’s next milestones include marking the show’s 25th anniversary in January 2028, should further agreements be reached. For now, the newly signed extension secures ABC’s late-night lineup through the 2026-2027 television season, giving affiliates and advertisers a firm programming anchor.

Crédito da imagem: ABC