ABC denies Jimmy Kimmel Live! ending after season

ABC has rejected reports suggesting that Jimmy Kimmel Live! could come to an end after its upcoming season, calling the claims inaccurate and emphasizing that any discussion about the show’s long-term future remains speculative.

The clarification came after reports surfaced on Tuesday, September 8, claiming that the long-running late-night talk show was expected to conclude following its current season. The reports quickly sparked speculation about the future of Jimmy Kimmel and his popular ABC program.

However, an ABC Entertainment representative pushed back against the claims, saying the information being circulated was inaccurate. The network stressed that no decision regarding the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been announced at this stage.

The uncertainty surrounding the show comes amid increased attention on Kimmel and the wider late-night television landscape. In a June 2026 interview, the comedian and television host spoke openly about the pressure he has faced and the challenges surrounding late-night programming.

Kimmel discussed the importance of maintaining creative independence while hosting a politically focused late-night program. He explained that he would not want to continue the show if he were subjected to excessive interference or restrictions over what he could say on air.

“I can’t do this show if I’m going to be micromanaged,” Kimmel said while reflecting on the difficulties he has encountered.

The host also defended the relevance of late-night television, arguing that the format continues to attract audiences through both traditional television and digital platforms. He pointed to the growing online reach of late-night content, with clips and segments reaching viewers beyond their original broadcasts.

Kimmel also criticized what he described as growing attacks on the late-night format. Rather than believing the genre is simply losing relevance, he suggested that outside pressure is contributing to the challenges faced by late-night hosts.

Despite his continued commitment to the program, Kimmel acknowledged that he remains uncertain about what his professional future could look like beyond his current television career. He said personal freedom is extremely important to him and indicated that he would eventually like to step away from the pressures of television and spend more time enjoying his personal interests.

The latest reports have also revived memories of the major controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2025.

The ABC program was taken off the air in September 2025 after Kimmel made comments concerning the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at an event at Utah Valley University. The controversy quickly escalated, with ABC-affiliated stations facing pressure over whether they would continue airing the program.

Nexstar Media Group announced that it strongly objected to Kimmel’s remarks and said its ABC-affiliated stations would replace the show with alternative programming. The decision received support from several prominent political figures and became part of a wider debate over free speech, political commentary and the role of late-night television.

The program was subsequently placed on an indefinite hiatus, leaving its future uncertain for a period of time.

However, Disney later announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would return to television in September 2025 following discussions with Kimmel regarding his comments. The show eventually resumed, allowing Kimmel to continue his late-night run.

With ABC now denying claims that the program is preparing to end, the immediate future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains unchanged. For now, the network has made clear that reports about the show’s possible conclusion should be treated as speculation rather than confirmation.