Fact Check: Are Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert and Simon Cowell planning to launch a news channel?
WASHINGTON, DC: Speculations are spreading online alleging that English TV personality Simon Cowell was backing an uncensored news channel called “Truth News” alongside late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert.
The speculation emerged soon after ABC briefly suspended Kimmel’s show over remarks he made following the September 10 murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Claim: Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert and Simon Cowell joining hands to launch new channel 'Truth News'
On September 20, a Facebook page called ‘Echoes of the South’ posted a story suggesting the trio were collaborating on 'Truth News'. The post, which featured a collage of Cowell, Kimmel, and Colbert, attracted many likes and reactions.
The caption read, “Jimmy Kimmel just lit the fuse no network dared touch and Colbert lit it with him. But the real gasoline was poured by Simon Cowell.”
Fact Check: The story was fabricated
Facts are that although ABC reinstated Kimmel within a week, broadcast companies Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group preempted his show. Sinclair ended the blackout on September 26.
Meanwhile, Colbert’s program was canceled by CBS in July, officially due to budgetary reasons, though some critics claimed it was retaliation for his criticism of President Donald Trump.
A closer look revealed the rumor was completely fabricated. No legitimate sources confirmed Cowell, Kimmel, or Colbert were involved in such a project. If true, major entertainment and news outlets would have widely covered it.
The blog linked in the viral post displayed multiple hallmarks of vague attributions like “insiders whisper.”
Visible pattern of fake stories
An investigation into the Echoes of the South Facebook page found that it regularly shared fraudulent content, particularly about Simon Cowell, including false death announcements.
The same page and other outlets circulated nearly identical stories involving different personalities. For example, one viral claim suggested MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow was teaming up with Kimmel and Colbert for an “independent newsroom.”
However, no credible news outlets reported any collaboration between the three celebrities.
In mid-September 2025, ABC and its parent company Disney abruptly suspended 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' after Jimmy Kimmel made remarks during a monologue about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk that drew fierce backlash.
The suspension got mixed response, with critics arguing that ABC bowed to political and regulatory threat particularly from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr after Kimmel criticized the political exploitation of Kirk’s death.
After several days of outrage from other late-night hosts and celebrities, ABC reversed course. On September 22, Disney announced that Kimmel would return on September 23.
Although some ABC affiliates initially continued to block airing the show, major groups like Nexstar and Sinclair eventually relented and reinstated Kimmel’s program.
