The late-night TV landscape could be shrinking further, with reports surfacing that ABC intends to end Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2027. According to Page Six, sources claim the upcoming season will be Kimmel’s last, with a final episode scheduled for May 2027 — bringing the show to a close after 24 years on the air.
“His contract is not getting extended,” one source told the outlet. The report suggests that Disney executive Josh D’Amaro is making the call for economic reasons, not because of any political pressure or Kimmel’s well-publicized clashes with President Trump.
“He’s not afraid of the administration… Josh isn’t folding,” the source said, indicating the decision is purely financial.
ABC Refutes the Report
However, an ABC Entertainment spokesperson pushed back on the claim, telling Page Six that the “information is inaccurate” and that “any reports about the future of the show at this point are purely speculative.” The network’s denial adds a layer of uncertainty to the rumors, which have sparked conversation about the broader state of late-night television.
TV Insider notes that the report could stem from contract negotiations. “Kimmel’s recent deals with ABC have been structured on a year-to-year basis, meaning his future with the network has regularly been revisited,” it said.
A Changing Late-Night Landscape
If the show does end in 2027, it would be another sign that the traditional late-night model is struggling. The trend was already highlighted by the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s CBS show earlier this year, which sent ripples through the industry.
Kimmel has hosted his show since 2003, making him one of the longest-running network late-night hosts — behind only David Letterman and Johnny Carson in terms of tenure. His departure would mark the end of an era for ABC and for a format that has seen declining ratings across the board.
Rosie O’Donnell’s Guest Stint
The rumor comes on the heels of Rosie O’Donnell’s successful four-night guest hosting run on Kimmel’s show, which Page Six describes as a ratings success. A source said O’Donnell was “in her element,” and she went viral for a parody of the Irish ballad “Danny Boy,” which she renamed “Donnie Boy” as a mockery of President Trump.
While O’Donnell’s stint was well received, the source insisted it has no bearing on Kimmel’s reported exit, nor does his ongoing feud with Trump. Instead, the focus is on the bottom line, as networks reevaluate the cost of late-night programming.
For now, fans of Kimmel’s brand of comedy and commentary will have to wait for official word from ABC. The network’s denial suggests that the show’s future is still being negotiated, and that reports of its demise may be premature.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/09/08/report-sources-claim-abc-to-end-jimmy-kimmels-late-night-show-in-2027/