Jimmy Kimmel and Disney still in talks on return of Jimmy Kimmel Live, find details here

Jimmy Kimmel Live’s future on ABC remains uncertain, as negotiations continue between the late-night host’s team and Disney executives about the possible return of Jimmy Kimmel Live. The program was abruptly pulled from the network’s schedule on September 17, after remarks Kimmel made about Donald Trump and the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk sparked heavy backlash.

Nexstar, one of the country’s largest station groups, said it would pre-empt the show, and Sinclair followed with a similar move. The combined decision forced Disney to suspend the program indefinitely.

As per Variety, behind the scenes, Kimmel’s representatives are in talks with Disney and ABC leaders to find a compromise that would bring the show back. The discussions are complicated, with no guarantee of resolution, as the host weighs conditions the network might impose.

Kimmel has not spoken publicly, but sources say he is aware of the financial strain his staff and crew face, especially after the 2023 writers and actors strikes. Disney, meanwhile, faces pressure from multiple sides: advertisers who spend over $50 million annually on the show, free speech advocates criticizing the suspension, and political figures like FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who warned of regulatory consequences.

Inside the talks to bring Jimmy Kimmel Live Back to ABC

The talks between Jimmy Kimmel’s representatives and Disney hinge on a difficult balance between business concerns and political pressure. At the center of the matter is the role of local station groups. Nexstar, which owns nearly 200 stations across the country, announced it would not carry Jimmy Kimmel Live after the host’s remarks about how conservatives responded to Charlie Kirk’s killing. Sinclair soon followed, further shrinking the distribution footprint.

Without those clearances, ABC cannot guarantee the audience levels promised to advertisers, making the show a financial risk. According to Guideline data, Jimmy Kimmel Live generated over $51 million in ad revenue in 2024, capturing more than 20% of the late-night market. A loss of this scale could significantly impact Disney’s overall advertising commitments.

Kimmel’s personal stance also complicates the process. While he has stayed silent publicly, people close to him say he is considering what terms he would accept from ABC.

He is aware that staff and crew, many of whom only recently recovered from the 2023 writers and actors strikes, could face layoffs if the shutdown extends for months. Kimmel has hosted the show since 2003, and the production employs dozens of union and freelance workers who depend on its nightly operation.

Disney executives have been under pressure for years over Kimmel’s sharp criticism of Donald Trump. They had reportedly raised concerns internally before this incident, warning that the tone of his monologues was drawing scrutiny from regulators. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr escalated the issue by praising Nexstar’s decision and hinting at possible investigations into Disney programming.

He later suggested that shows such as The View could also face review. The presence of such federal oversight has raised alarms inside Disney, especially as the company pursues regulatory approvals for other deals, including a planned merger involving Hulu’s live-TV platform and a deal giving the NFL a stake in ESPN.

Outside the corporate offices, the suspension has triggered protests. Demonstrations were staged at Disney headquarters in Burbank and New York, as well as outside the Hollywood studio where Kimmel tapes his show. Critics from both left-leaning and conservative groups have accused Disney of mishandling the crisis.

Free speech advocates, including the ACLU and some Republican lawmakers like Senator Ted Cruz, argue that removing Kimmel under government pressure sets a troubling precedent. At the same time, Trump and his supporters have welcomed the suspension, calling it overdue.

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