Could Jimmy Kimmel be the next late-night TV show host to walk away from television? A new report suggests Jimmy Kimmel Live! is nearing the end. However, ABC quickly responded and gave late-night fans a collective sigh of relief.
According to sources at Page Six, Kimmel's show won't continue after next year. The outlet cited an individual familiar with the situation, claiming that ABC will not extend the comedian's contract and therefore bring Jimmy Kimmel Live! to an end in May 2027.
The report made a big enough splash that ABC chose to respond. In a statement shared with Page Six and other outlets, the network indicated that "[This] information is inaccurate — any reports about the future of the show at this point are purely speculative.”
Kimmel and ABC have a long history together, partnering on the late-night TV show since 2003. In recent years, Kimmel has signed one-year deals. Those contract moves helped fuel speculation that he wasn't in it for the long haul. Plus, comments hinting at retirement didn't do either side any favors in derailing the narrative.
Page Six also reports that sources don't think Kimmel's feud with President Donald Trump factors into the alleged decision to end the show. In fact, ABC and Disney have gone to bat for Kimmel in the latest chapter that saw the FCC threaten the network's broadcast licenses. While the government claims it has nothing to do with Kimmel's commentary, the network (and many fans) see things differently.
So that makes it difficult to believe any report that ABC wants to cut Kimmel loose. The show earns strong ratings, and Kimmel has done several other projects with the network outside of late-night TV. As arguably the face of the network, Kimmel still carries tremendous value for ABC.
If the reports are true, it would be another devastating loss for late-night TV fans. The wounds are still fresh from Stephen Colbert's premature departure from The Late Show and CBS. Another late-night host being shown the door, rather than going out on their own terms, likely would not sit well with the viewers.
Kimmel returns to ABC on Tuesday night following his annual summer hiatus. Chances are he won't address the Page Six report during his monologue. Instead, he'll probably want to recap his summer before getting back to business as usual. For late-night fans, the hope is that Kimmel and ABC stay in business together for years to come.
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