Disney executive declines to confirm renewal of Jimmy Kimmel's ABC contract

Disney President and Chief Creative Officer Dana Walden told a Bloomberg conference on Thursday that she could not announce whether Jimmy Kimmel will remain on ABC, declining to comment on the host's contract status. Kimmel signed a one-year extension in December that runs through the 2026-27 season and reportedly earns about $16 million annually.

Walden described the late-night time-slot as “a very challenging daypart,” adding that while Kimmel’s ratings have risen, they are measured against a shrinking broadcast audience. She highlighted that the show’s digital viewership on platforms such as YouTube generates only a small portion of the revenue compared with traditional television advertising, making it “not a lucrative opportunity for a very premium talk show.”

The remarks came after reports that Kimmel’s show might end when his current deal expires in May 2027. An ABC Entertainment spokesperson called those reports “inaccurate” and “purely speculative.”

Nielsen data cited by ABC show that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” averaged 2 million viewers in the 2025-26 season, a 29 percent increase from the previous year, and posted its highest key-demographic rating in four seasons. Walden said Disney is trying to balance business considerations with its partnership with Kimmel, noting her personal friendship with the host.

The discussion of the show’s future follows previous controversies involving Kimmel, including a temporary removal of the program in September after comments about activist Charlie Kirk and criticism in April over a joke about First Lady Melania Trump. ABC has not taken further disciplinary action.