Jimmy Kimmel and Disney are working toward reaching a compromise that would allow Jimmy Kimmel Live to return to ABC, according to multiple sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations. The veteran late-night host has been off the air since September 17, when Disney indefinitely suspended his show following controversial comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death.
The veteran host’s business and legal representatives are deep in discussions with Disney and ABC leaders in the hopes of finding a path to a compromise that would allow for the return of Jimmy Kimmel Live, according to three people with knowledge of the situation. However, industry insiders caution that no agreement has been finalized, and significant challenges remain in the talks between the entertainment giant and its long-standing host.
The suspension came after one of the biggest owners of TV stations in the U.S., Nexstar, said it intended to preempt airings of the program following remarks the host made in relation to Trump and the slaying of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Subsequently, Sinclair Broadcasting also announced it would remove Kimmel’s show from its stations, intensifying pressure on Disney to take action.
During the controversy, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr made unprecedented threats against ABC’s broadcast license, creating a regulatory crisis for Disney. The situation escalated when Disney executives felt they had no choice but to bump Kimmel in order to let the MAGA media-fueled controversy subside.
Nevertheless, the suspension has generated significant internal discord at Disney. Anger among Disney staffers over Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension is growing at the company as talks are ongoing to find a way to get the host back on the air, with multiple executives reportedly criticizing the company’s decision to cave to political pressure.
The financial stakes are considerable for both parties. Ad spending on Jimmy Kimmel Live totaled $51.1 million in 2024, according to data from Guideline, a tracker of ad spending, accounting for 21% of all advertising on late-night programs. Additionally, Kimmel has become a key face of the network beyond his late-night duties, hosting major events including the Academy Awards and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Sources indicate that Kimmel is mindful of the effects a shutdown would have on dozens of his production staffers as well as vendors in Los Angeles who work on the show. The host is particularly concerned about crew members who are still recovering financially from the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes.
Interestingly, some conservative voices have unexpectedly provided Disney with potential political cover for Kimmel’s return. Ted Cruz‘s comments, particularly his riff on Goodfellas, earlier Friday concerning Disney’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel, could help pave the way for Disney to bring the late-night host back to ABC. The Texas senator criticized FCC Chairman Carr’s tactics, warning that such precedents could be used against conservatives in future Democratic administrations.
The talks continue under intense public scrutiny, with demonstrations taking place outside Disney offices and the Jimmy Kimmel Live studio. Meanwhile, several high-profile figures in Hollywood have voiced their support for Kimmel’s reinstatement, while others have threatened to boycott Disney properties until the show returns.
There is no guarantee Kimmel and Disney will come to terms on an agreement to return to the airwaves, these people cautioned. Nor is it clear where Kimmel’s mindset stands on what he would and would not accept from ABC as conditions of taking the stage again for Jimmy Kimmel Live. Both Disney representatives and Kimmel’s media representative have declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations.
