Dec 8, 2025 - Business

Jimmy Kimmel extends deal with ABC for another year

Jason Lalljee

Jimmy Kimmel speaks at a podium — Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

Disney renewed its contract with Jimmy Kimmel for at least another year, a network source confirmed to Axios on Monday.

Why it matters: "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will continue to air through at least May 2027, despite ABC's brief suspension of his program in September following Kimmel's comments about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel has been an avatar of free speech suppression during the second Trump administration, both by the White House and by corporations caving to government pressure.

Driving the news: Disney and Kimmel signed the one-year extension over the summer — before Kimmel's suspension — Variety reported.

Zoom out: ABC's reflexive cancellation underscored the potency of the Trump administration's efforts to limit speech critical of the president or of conservatives more broadly.

CBS announced in July that it would be canceling "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" next year. Colbert is another outspoken opponent of Trump.

What we're watching: Trump last month urged local syndicates to drop Kimmel's program.

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Jimmy Kimmel extends deal with ABC for another year

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