Disney Executive Dodges Question on Jimmy Kimmel's Future
President Dana Walden calls the late-night landscape 'challenging' while discussing the host's contract negotiations.
Disney President Dana Walden was unable to confirm whether Jimmy Kimmel will continue hosting his late-night show beyond his current one-year contract. Speaking at Bloomberg's Screentime conference on Thursday, Walden described the future of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" as a complex negotiation involving the host's desires, what is "right," and the company's business interests.
Walden acknowledged Kimmel's recent ratings increase but contextualized it by noting the overall decline in viewership for late-night broadcast television. "His ratings are up, but they’re up relative to a smaller audience that’s watching late-night on broadcast television," Walden stated. This remark came amid broader industry trends like cord-cutting and the rise of streaming, which are impacting the traditional late-night format. Longtime CBS host Stephen Colbert recently ended his show earlier this year, a move that underscores these shifts.
Walden emphasized her positive personal relationship with Kimmel, describing it as a "great friendship." She indicated that the decision-making process involves understanding Kimmel's personal ambitions alongside strategic business considerations. "We’re trying to work through... what does Jimmy want, what’s the 'right' thing to do, and what’s the right thing for our business," she told Bloomberg Managing Editor Lucas Shaw.
The uncertainty surrounding Kimmel's contract follows a brief suspension in September of the previous year. At that time, Kimmel was taken off the air for nearly a week after making a joke about the suspect in the Charlie Kirk assassination attempt. Disney issued a statement explaining the suspension was to "avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country," and that "thoughtful conversations" with Kimmel led to the show's return. Kimmel has since continued to be a vocal critic of the Trump administration.
A report from Puck suggested Kimmel wishes to continue hosting until after the 2028 election, potentially for another two years. The report also indicated that Disney is seeking to reduce the show's budget, with sources estimating a potential cut of 20% from its approximately $100 million annual cost. Kimmel reportedly signed a one-year extension last year, a shorter term than his usual three-year agreements. Bob Iger, who was CEO at the time of Kimmel's suspension and co-made the decision to pull the show, is set to retire at the end of the year.