Jimmy Kimmel signs new ABC extension deal, keeping him on air through 2027

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jimmy Kimmel is staying put at ABC, at least for now.

After a year that saw him yanked off the air and fiercely defended by Hollywood, the late-night host quietly inked a new extension that runs through May 2027, keeping him at the center of television’s nightly conversation.

Jimmy Kimmel signs new ABC extension through 2027

Jimmy Kimmel has officially renewed his contract with Disney-owned ABC, securing another year as host of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live.' A source familiar with the deal told CNN that the new extension takes the show through May 2027, marking yet another chapter in the host’s decades-long relationship with the network.

While ABC has not publicly commented, Kimmel confirmed the news himself in the most Kimmel way possible, with a self-deprecating joke on Instagram. “I am pleased to announce another no-talent year!” he wrote Monday night.

The extension arrives after a turbulent period in fall 2025, when ABC executives briefly pulled 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' off the air following Kimmel’s pointed monologue about the suspected killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The decision instantly threw the host into the center of the country’s political divide.

Hollywood backlash erupted after ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel

When ABC temporarily removed Kimmel from the lineup, the reaction across Hollywood was swift.

Industry insiders rallied behind the late-night star, with many celebrities informally boycotting Disney in protest.

Despite the internal drama, CNN previously reported that Disney was always “hopeful” about bringing Kimmel back.

The reason was simple: Kimmel has strong, longstanding relationships with many key executives at the company, relationships built over decades of blockbuster Oscars hosting, award-show cameos, and consistent ratings.

Kimmel has also built a reputation as the only major late-night host broadcasting out of Los Angeles, giving him direct access to a constant stream of high-profile celebrity guests who regularly stroll into his studio.

Jimmy Kimmel weighs retirement as ABC extends his deal

Kimmel’s previous contract runs through May 2026, and he has openly wrestled with the idea of stepping away from late-night television.

Over the years, he has made several public comments about not knowing how long he’d want to continue. Still, ABC sees him as irreplaceable.

Kimmel remains one of Disney’s marquee talents, a face of the network whose connection to the brand spans everything from late-night comedy to hosting the Oscars and winning an Emmy for hosting 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.'

The new extension, while only a year, signals that both sides want to keep the partnership going, at least until Kimmel decides he’s ready to close the curtain.