Culture 4 min read By Morgan Griffin
Jimmy Kimmel in Talks to Renew Late-Night Show at ABC
Jimmy Kimmel and ABC are negotiating a renewal of his late-night contract, Deadline confirms, after tabloid reports claimed he would step down when his deal ends in May.
Jimmy Kimmel and Disney's ABC are in negotiations to keep the host in late-night television beyond the current season, a renewal that would extend his run on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for another year. The talks, confirmed by Deadline, follow tabloid reports earlier this week claiming Kimmel would stand down after his contract ends in May. Those reports were not accurate, according to the confirmation that negotiations are underway.
The renewal process would ordinarily be routine business for a network and its longest-serving late-night host. In the current climate, however, the discussions carry unusual weight. Late-night television has become a focal point in a broader political fight over broadcast content, and Kimmel's future at ABC has drawn attention well beyond the entertainment industry.
Kimmel recently conducted a 20-minute interview with James Talarico that was posted to YouTube rather than airing on his ABC broadcast, amid concerns over an FCC enforcement action. In the interview, Kimmel asked Talarico, «Why are they so scared of you?» He also noted that Stephen Colbert had posted a sit-down interview in a similar manner. The decision to route the conversation to YouTube rather than the network reflects the pressure late-night hosts now face over editorial decisions.
Colbert, who recently signed off as host of The Late Show, is set to return to late-night television as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, September 15. His appearance will air the night after the 2026 Emmys, where both he and Kimmel are expected to be part of the ceremony's spotlight. The booking marks Colbert's first late-night appearance since leaving his own desk.
The negotiations between Kimmel and Disney executives center on whether he will continue hosting after the new TV season. Kimmel has been a fixture of ABC's late-night lineup, and his program remains a key part of the network's schedule. A renewal would keep him in the role for at least another year, though no deal has been finalized.
The tabloid reports that prompted the confirmation had suggested Kimmel was preparing to exit when his contract expires in May. That narrative was quickly contradicted by the news that talks to renew are active. For ABC, retaining Kimmel would preserve stability in a daypart that has seen significant turnover and political scrutiny in recent months.
Late-night hosts have increasingly found themselves navigating a charged environment in which their interviews and monologues can attract regulatory attention. Kimmel's decision to post the Talarico interview on YouTube, rather than broadcast it, underscores how those pressures are shaping where and how conversations reach audiences. The FCC enforcement action referenced in that context has added a layer of caution to programming decisions.
For now, the talks between Kimmel and Disney's ABC remain ongoing. The outcome will determine whether one of the network's most recognizable voices stays in late-night past the current season, and whether the show continues in its established form. Neither side has announced a final agreement.
