Jimmy Kimmel could return to air as Disney talks continue

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show may not be off the air forever. The veteran host and Disney are reportedly negotiating a potential compromise that would allow Jimmy Kimmel Live to return to ABC, sources say. Discussions are ongoing between Kimmel’s business and legal representatives and network executives, though insiders caution that no deal has yet been reached.

Kimmel’s show was abruptly pulled on September 17 after Nexstar, one of the largest U.S. TV station owners, said it would pre-empt broadcasts in response to the host’s comments about former President Donald Trump and the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Sinclair, another major station group, followed suit. Disney announced the show would be off the schedule “indefinitely,” but emphasized it was part of broader discussions rather than a permanent cancellation.

The sudden removal has triggered intense debate online. Free speech advocates criticised Disney for bowing to pressure, while conservatives praised the pre-emptions and echoed Trump’s repeated threats to challenge broadcast licenses for networks hosting anti-MAGA voices. Demonstrations broke out outside Disney offices in Burbank and New York, as well as outside the Hollywood studios where Kimmel’s program is produced.

Behind the scenes, Kimmel is reportedly weighing conditions carefully. Sources say he is mindful of the effect a shutdown would have on his production staff and vendors still recovering from the 2023 writers and actors strikes. Meanwhile, Disney must balance political backlash with the network’s business priorities, including advertising revenue that hit $51.1 million on Jimmy Kimmel Live last year.

The host has not publicly commented on the negotiations, and Disney declined to provide updates. Observers note that the outcome could shape the late-night landscape for years, with Kimmel’s return or exit impacting ABC programming and potentially other Disney-backed ventures, including specials and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Social media continues to buzz with speculation, memes, and political debate as the network and host navigate one of the most high-profile controversies of the late-night era.