BREAKING: ABC Extends Jimmy Kimmel Through May 2027 After Ratings Surge And Political Firestorm
Jimmy Kimmel is not going anywhere. I can confirm ABC has signed a one year extension that keeps Jimmy Kimmel Live on the air through May 2027. The decision locks in late night’s most outspoken voice at a time when the format is shifting, the politics are heated, and the audience is paying attention. 📺
What ABC Decided, And Why It Matters
ABC closed the deal on December 8, adding one more year to Kimmel’s current pact. The network waited to make its move public out of respect for Stephen Colbert’s planned May 2026 exit, a nod to the delicate chessboard of late night scheduling. The takeaway is simple. ABC wants Kimmel in the chair while the next era of late night takes shape.
The renewal signals renewed confidence from the network after a stormy fall. It also tells advertisers and affiliates that ABC is backing Kimmel’s voice, not just his timeslot.
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Contract update, signed December 8. Jimmy Kimmel Live now runs through May 2027 on ABC.
The September Shock, Then A Roaring Return
You felt the jolt in September. Kimmel was suspended after a controversial monologue about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. A handful of affiliates briefly pulled the show. The pause lasted about a week. Then Kimmel walked back on stage and delivered one of the most forceful monologues of his career, a defense of free speech aimed at both critics and corporate nerves.
Viewers showed up. The comeback episode drew around 6 million viewers, the strongest numbers for Kimmel in years, and one of the highest in two decades. The reaction told ABC something important. The audience will reward clarity, even when it stings.
Since then, political attacks have kept Kimmel in the crosshairs. Former President Donald Trump has gone after him by name. The spotlight has not cooled. ABC chose to lean into it.
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Why ABC Doubled Down On Kimmel
This was a business call as much as a cultural one. Kimmel delivered a measurable ratings jolt after his return. He also gave ABC a clear brand, a late night show with a point of view that can cut through a crowded field. There is risk, yes. But there is also momentum, and momentum sells ads and fills seats.
- Ratings rebound, a rare spike in a quiet late night marketplace
- A host with a firm identity, and a loyal studio audience
- Advertisers who want appointment moments, not background noise
- A runway through 2027 as rivals reshuffle, including Colbert’s exit in 2026
ABC is reading the room. Late night is not chasing middle ground anymore. It is picking a lane, then delivering with craft and conviction.
The extension buys time for ABC to shape late night after Colbert leaves and as younger viewers drift to streaming clips.
Fans, Celebrities, And The Culture War Heat
Fans who lined up outside the studio after the suspension now feel heard. In the room, the energy has changed. The laughter is sharper, the applause comes faster, and the crowd leans in when Kimmel goes long on politics. Celebrity guests are leaning in too. The couch has become a place to talk about the world, then pivot to the movie or album. That mix plays to Kimmel’s strengths, a warm host with a sting when needed.
Expect more of that edge. Expect more live moments around election nights and key cultural events. The show is not chasing a fight, but it is not ducking one either. ABC believes that is the future of late night, a nightly point of view, not a safe monologue and a goodbye.
Timing matters. ABC waited to announce the deal so it would not step on Colbert’s planned May 2026 farewell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What exactly did ABC announce?
A: ABC signed a one year extension with Jimmy Kimmel on December 8, keeping Jimmy Kimmel Live on air through May 2027.
Q: Why was Kimmel suspended in September?
A: He delivered a controversial monologue about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Some affiliates briefly pulled the show, and ABC paused production for about a week.
Q: Did the show’s ratings improve after his return?
A: Yes. His comeback monologue drew around 6 million viewers, his best in years, and near historic levels for the show.
Q: How does this affect the late night landscape?
A: ABC locks in a clear voice as rivals shift. Stephen Colbert ends his run in May 2026, which opens space and invites reshuffling across the field.
Q: Will the show change under the new deal?
A: Expect more free speech forward monologues, timely live episodes, and a tight mix of star power and policy conversation.
The bottom line, ABC is not flinching. Jimmy Kimmel gets the mic through May 2027, and late night gets a louder heart. The stakes are real, the audience is engaged, and the next big monologue could drop any night.
