Is Jimmy Kimmel really preparing to say goodbye to late-night television? A new report has claimed that Jimmy Kimmel Live! could come to an end in 2027 after 24 years on air. However, ABC has now pushed back on the report, calling the information inaccurate and saying that any reports about the show’s future are “purely speculative.”
According to Page Six, the upcoming season of Jimmy Kimmel Live! could be the show’s last, with the season expected to conclude in May 2027. A source familiar with the situation told the publication, “His contract is not getting extended.”
However, ABC Entertainment has denied that the show’s future has been decided. An ABC spokesperson told Page Six, “[This] information is inaccurate – any reports about the future of the show at this point are purely speculative.”
What Did ABC Say About Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s Future?
The network’s response puts the reported 2027 ending firmly in the unconfirmed category. Kimmel has traditionally signed year-to-year deals, giving both the host and ABC flexibility over the show’s future. PEOPLE also reported that Kimmel signed a one-year contract extension in December 2025, keeping Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC through 2027.
Kimmel has been hosting the late-night show since 2003 and has become one of the longest-running network late-night hosts in television. The possibility of the show ending would therefore mark the close of a major chapter in the late-night landscape.
Could Cost-Cutting Be Behind The Report?
Page Six’s report comes as Disney, which owns ABC, is undergoing restructuring and cost-cutting measures. The publication reported that new Disney boss Josh D’Amaro has been offering veteran executives early-retirement packages.
Sources cited by Page Six suggested that cost reductions could have played a role in any potential decision involving Kimmel. One ABC source reportedly said, “it wouldn’t have anything to do with Trump.”
That distinction is notable because Kimmel has had a highly publicised relationship with the Trump administration, with the late-night host frequently criticising Donald Trump and facing backlash over his political commentary. Page Six’s sources, however, indicated that politics was unlikely to be behind the reported situation.
Why Is Rosie O’Donnell Being Mentioned?
The report also arrives shortly after Rosie O’Donnell completed a four-night guest-hosting stint on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which was described as a ratings success. O’Donnell was reportedly “in her element” during the run and attracted attention for her parody of “Danny Boy,” which she reworked as “Donnie Boy” while mocking Trump.
