Overview
- Multiple outlets confirmed the one-year deal, and Kimmel acknowledged it with a tongue-in-cheek Instagram post saying, “I am pleased to announce another no-talent year!”
- People familiar with the talks say the pact was actually finalized over the summer, with the announcement held back out of respect for Stephen Colbert as his CBS show ends in May 2026.
- ABC briefly suspended the show in September after Kimmel’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s killing, as major affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair preempted the program and FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly rebuked the host.
- Kimmel’s return drew about 6.3 million viewers—his biggest regularly scheduled audience in over a decade—and stations resumed carriage shortly thereafter alongside strong online viewing.
- Reuters reports Carr is scheduled to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee on Dec. 17 over his pressure on broadcasters, while President Donald Trump continues to call for Kimmel’s ouster.