Disney Executive Sidesteps Questions on Jimmy Kimmel's Future at ABC

LOS ANGELES — The long-term tenure of Jimmy Kimmel as a late-night host on ABC remains a topic of discussion, with a senior Disney executive offering a cautious response when questioned about his future. Dana Walden, President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company, attended the Bloomberg Screentime summit on Thursday. During her appearance, Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw inquired whether Kimmel would still be hosting his program a year from now.

Walden responded with a smile, stating, “I'm certainly not going to make that announcement with you here today.” Shaw pressed further, asking why retaining Kimmel wasn't an obvious decision for Disney. He highlighted the host's improved ratings and his reputation as a “free speech hero” following public disagreements with figures such as former President Donald Trump and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr.

Walden acknowledged the difficulties inherent in the late-night television slot. “The truth is, it's a very challenging day part, late night,” she explained. She clarified that her comments did not diminish Kimmel's performance, noting his “phenomenal job” and rising ratings, but added these gains were “relative to a smaller audience that's watching late night on broadcast television.”

She elaborated on the evolving consumption habits, mentioning the show's presence on YouTube and millions watching segments On Demand. However, she indicated that this digital viewership does not translate into a “lucrative opportunity for a very premium talk show.” Walden emphasized the company's efforts to align business realities with its long-standing collaboration with Kimmel. “I love Jimmy. We have a great friendship,” she affirmed, noting his strong relationships within Disney. She concluded by stating the company is “trying to work through it and make sense of both what does Jimmy want, what's the right thing to do and what's right thing for our business.”

Speculation and Recent Controversies

Unconfirmed reports have suggested that the current season of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” might be its final run, with a potential official departure slated for 2027. This speculation follows a challenging period for Kimmel. In September 2025, Disney temporarily suspended his program after he drew criticism for remarks concerning the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Earlier in the same year, he also faced a public disagreement with the White House after making a joke about former First Lady Melania Trump, likening her “glow” to that of “an expectant widow.”

The Evolving Landscape of Late Night Television

Comedian Conan O'Brien, also present at the Bloomberg summit on Wednesday, voiced his concerns regarding the downturn in the late-night television sector. “I saw over my 17 years with NBC... I started to see, oh, this is really changing. This is really changing,” O'Brien recounted. He observed a growing demand for cost-consciousness from networks, attributing this shift to the emergence of new platforms and increased competition. He pointed to the rise of premium cable channels like HBO and Cinemax, and the proliferation of late-night programs beyond just “The Tonight Show” to include shows like David Letterman's and others.

O'Brien drew a parallel to the automotive industry, remarking, “It's a little like Detroit and automobiles.” This analogy highlighted how increased international competition from countries like Japan and Europe contributed to the decline of the U.S. auto sector. After decades hosting late-night shows on both NBC and TBS, O'Brien transitioned to podcasting, where he now hosts “Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend.” His former network, TBS, discontinued its late-night programming entirely in 2022, following the cancellation of “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.”

Cost-Cutting in Broadcast Late Night

The financial pressures on late-night broadcasting are further exemplified by recent decisions at other major networks. Earlier this year, CBS concluded “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” opting to replace it with Byron Allen's syndicated talk program, “Comics Unleashed.” Reports indicated that “The Late Show” was costing CBS approximately $40 million annually, operating with a substantial seasonal budget of $100 million. While “Comics Unleashed” attracts a significantly smaller viewership compared to Stephen Colbert's program, CBS is now projected to generate a $15 million profit in that same time slot, largely due to extensive cost-reduction measures.