If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the rumors flying around. People are asking, did they cancel Jimmy Kimmel show, and honestly, the answer is a lot more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no." It’s been a wild ride for the late-night host. One minute he's getting suspended, and the next, he's signing a brand new deal that keeps him on your TV screen until 2027.
It’s easy to see why everyone is confused.
The headlines back in September 2025 were pretty scary if you're a fan of the show. ABC actually pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air "indefinitely." That’s a heavy word in the TV business. Usually, "indefinitely" is just corporate speak for "you’re fired, we just haven’t figured out the paperwork yet." But in this case, the show eventually came back, though not without a massive fight involving the FCC and some of the biggest station owners in the country.
What Actually Happened With the Suspension?
The drama started after some comments Jimmy made regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. It got heated fast. Major affiliates like Nexstar and Sinclair—the companies that actually own the local stations that broadcast ABC—decided they weren't going to air the show anymore. They called his remarks "offensive and insensitive."
When your local stations refuse to air your show, you’re basically a ghost.
Then the government got involved. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr suggested there could be repercussions for the network. For about six days, the show just... vanished. No monologues, no Guillermo, nothing. President Trump even took to Truth Social to celebrate, basically saying the show should have been gone a long time ago.
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But here is the twist: the suspension didn't kill the show. If anything, it made it more popular. When Kimmel finally returned on September 24, 2025, he pulled in some of the highest ratings the show has seen in over two decades. People love a comeback, or at least they love watching the fallout of a good public feud.
Did They Cancel Jimmy Kimmel Show for 2026?
So, if you are looking for a date when the lights go out, you won't find one in 2026. Despite all the calls for his firing, Jimmy Kimmel isn't going anywhere yet.
In December 2025, Jimmy signed a one-year contract extension.
Before this new deal, his contract was supposed to end in May 2026. A lot of people—including Jimmy himself—hinted that he might just walk away then. He’s been doing this since 2003. That’s a long time to spend making fun of people in a suit. He even told the Los Angeles Times back in 2024 that he thought his current contract would be his last.
"I still have a little more than two years left on my contract, and that seems pretty good. That seems like enough," he said at the time.
But things changed. Maybe it was the suspension, or maybe it was the fact that late-night TV is currently a battlefield. Either way, ABC and Disney decided they weren't ready to let him go. The new agreement keeps Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the air through the 2026-2027 television season.
Why the Rumors Just Won't Die
You might still hear people claiming the show is cancelled because of the shifting landscape of late-night. It’s a tough era for these shows. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert actually faced a massive cancellation threat in July 2025 after a legal settlement involving the president, which fueled the fire that Kimmel would be "next."
There’s also the personal toll. Jimmy lost his long-time friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, in late 2025. That kind of loss makes anyone rethink their career. Plus, his wife and head writer, Molly McNearney, has spoken openly about the "fear" that swirled around the show during the FCC drama.
When you combine political pressure, falling traditional TV ratings, and a host who is openly "on the fence" about his future, the "cancelled" rumors start to feel like facts. But as of January 2026, the show is firmly in production at the El Capitan Theatre.
What to Expect Next for the Show
If you’re watching the show today, you’ll notice things feel a bit different. The band is now simply called "The Cletones." The political jokes are sharper than ever. Jimmy seems to be leaning into the controversy rather than running from it.
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Here is what we know for sure about the future:
- The show is safe until at least May 2027.
- Jimmy has a habit of saying "this is my last year" and then staying for five more.
- The tension between the show and the current administration isn't going away.
If you’re worried about whether did they cancel jimmy kimmel show, the best thing you can do is just keep tuning in. Ratings are the only thing that truly protects a show from the chopping block. While the "cancel culture" talk is loud, the "contract extension" talk is what actually matters in Hollywood.
If you want to stay ahead of any actual cancellation news, keep an eye on the trades like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter around early 2027. That’s when the next round of "will he or won't he" negotiations will start. Until then, the show stays right where it is.
To stay updated on the latest late-night shifts, you should monitor the official ABC press room or follow the show's verified social media channels, as they are the first to announce hiatuses or production changes. Checking local listings is also vital, as some regional affiliates may still choose to preempt specific episodes despite the national renewal.