Overview
- Dana Walden told reporters on Thursday that Disney and ABC are actively working through whether Jimmy Kimmel will return after his contract ends in May 2027 and that no final decision has been made.
- ABC has publicly disputed reports that Kimmel will step back next year and the host remains under contract through the 2026–27 season.
- Executives are discussing specific cost-saving measures including a full summer hiatus, more guest hosts, and fewer expensive New York production moves to cut the show’s budget.
- The renewal talks are shaped by political and regulatory risks after last year’s station pre-emptions and public FCC scrutiny, plus large on-demand YouTube audiences that generate limited ad revenue for a nightly broadcast show.
- Disney’s deliberations are also influenced by wider company pressures such as recent voluntary layoffs and weaker box-office returns for big projects, which raise the urgency to align late-night costs with overall corporate goals.