Fans have been wondering about the fate of Jimmy Kimmel Live! over the past year, between its suspension last year to recent rumors concerning the show’s contract. Recently, an insider shared that the show could now be facing a significant budget cut. The source also weighed in on whether or not Kimmel would want to keep the show going.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! Recently Saw Its Contract Renewed Late Last Year
Kimmel’s Live! show started back on January 26, 2003. In spite of the title, the show hasn’t regularly aired live since 2024.
Back in December, Kimmel announced that his contract was extended for another year. At the time, it was announced that the show was set to expire in May 2027.
As previously reported, viral stories recently came out, alleging that ABC would cancel the series following its 24th season. However, the network has since denied the report, claiming that any decision concerning the late show’s fate has not yet been settled.
According to Puck, journalist Matthew Belloni reported that a future deal could happen. However, it could come with severe financial conditions.
In fact, Belloni claimed that Kimmel’s agent James “Baby Doll” Dixon and Disney Entertainment Television chair Debra O’Connell are already interested in working out an extension. However, Belloni noted, “They’ll need to cut the budget.”
Insider Claimed That Kimmel Had Reasons To Keep Show Going, Even If Renewals Will Go One Year At A Time
This reduction could be substantial. The journalist claimed that Kimmel’s show costs around $100 million to produce each year. This puts it in a similar financial status as The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, which was recently cancelled by CBS.
The network hasn’t confirmed possible cutbacks. However, Belloni offered a rough estimate, sharing, “A strong source close to the situation told me 20 percent of the current budget was a fair estimate. Not insignificant, and a big ask for a show like [Jimmy Kimmel Live!] Which, like Colbert, has already been trimming costs in recent years.”
It was also noted that Kimmel has been seeking renewals one year at a time instead of three-year deals. However, Belloni felt that Kimmel was still pressured to keep the show going, sharing, “And now that Colbert is off TV, sources say that Kimmel feels a bit of a responsibility to carry the torch as late-night’s thorn in the president’s side.”
As Jimmy Kimmel begins negotiations for another year, ABC is asking for budget cuts as both sides continue to feel political pressure from the White House.
The question may be whether Kimmel makes it, or wants to make it, past 2028.@MattBelloni reports: https://t.co/Q4hpbRgDdf
— Puck (@PuckNews) September 11, 2026
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John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.