Jimmy Kimmel Plans to Exit ABC in 2026 Amid Ratings Crash

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Jimmy Kimmel, who’s been the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a long time, has hinted that he might not renew his contract with ABC when it ends in 2026. It seems increasingly likely that ABC won’t have Jimmy as their late-night host after that date.

In a 2024 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Kimmel indicated that his current contract might be his last, stating it felt like an appropriate length of time. Similar sentiments were expressed on the Politickin’ podcast, where Kimmel voiced apprehensions about what lies ahead post-show, recognizing the scarcity of opportunities for late-night hosts following the end of their respective programs.

Jimmy Kimmel prefers repeatedly addressing America’s concerns about Trump, even at the expense of television ratings:

Malcolm Gladwell: “Is it concerning that a considerable part of the country doesn’t watch your show or late-night TV?”

Jimmy Kimmel: “I’m not sure if it’s a problem. We might achieve better ratings if they…

— Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) February 13, 2025

Jimmy Kimmel’s thoughts about retiring line up with a time when his show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, has been experiencing lower ratings. In the first quarter of 2025, the program suffered a 24% decrease in viewers aged 18 to 49 compared to the last quarter, which was the most significant drop among shows airing during the same time period. However, despite a brief surge of 45% in total viewers during April 2025, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” still lagged behind “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in overall viewership.

Analysts believe several factors contribute to the decline in late-night television ratings, such as the surge of streaming platforms and a growing preference for digital content among viewers. Shows like Hot Ones and Chicken Shop Date, which provide more genuine and interactive content, have become popular with younger audiences. Even Jimmy Kimmel admits that the landscape of late-night shows could drastically change within a decade, potentially leaving only one network television show standing.

It seems we might be without “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” sometime in 2026, which is unfortunate. For years, he’s been an essential part of the television landscape and even if he doesn’t appeal to everyone, he’s been deeply intertwined with Hollywood and pop culture. If you enjoy staying informed about what’s happening in that world, losing someone who keeps a close watch on it is a significant loss.

— Zachary Moser, ScreenRant

Given that Jimmy Kimmel is expected to leave ABC next year, it seems the departure might coincide with Disney, ABC’s parent company, being less eager to delve into politics publicly. This timing could be strategic, as they might choose to phase out Kimmel before he offers commentary on the midterm elections to avoid any political entanglements.

Given the circumstances, it’s not surprising that some of Kimmel’s latest jokes during his Upfront monologue targeted Bob Iger and the Disney Company quite intensely.

Among the four significant broadcast networks – NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox – it’s worth noting that only one of us experienced a decline in annual viewership. However, I won’t disclose which network it is as it’s not relevant to our discussion. Instead, let’s celebrate each other’s achievements, regardless of ratings. We don’t rely on good ratings at ABC, Disney, Hulu, ESPN, FX, T-Mobile (Tim FanDuel), KFC, Cash App, or any other ventures. Our focus is singular – it’s all about our Intellectual Property (IP), and that’s what we value most.

— Jimmy Kimmel

As I reach the end of my current contract, I’ve been drawn towards pursuing my personal passions like cooking, drawing, and sculpting. I haven’t definitively decided on retirement yet, but the drop in ratings and the shifting media landscape hint that Jimmy Kimmel Live! might be approaching its final episode. It seems that Disney, with anticipation, looks forward to that day.

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2025-05-16 19:56