ABC Return Considered as Disney, Jimmy Kimmel Explore Compromise for “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

Disney and Jimmy Kimmel are pursuing a compromise that would allow “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to return to ABC, with the host’s business and legal representatives in active discussions with Disney and ABC leadership, according to three people familiar with the talks.

The show was abruptly removed from its regular 11:35 p.m. slot on Sept. 17, with Disney saying it would be off the schedule “indefinitely” after Nexstar, one of the largest U.S. station owners, said it intended to pre-empt airings following Kimmel’s remarks related to Trump and the slaying of conservative activist Charlie Kirk; Sinclair later said it would also drop the program from its stations. Kimmel, who has hosted ABC’s late-night franchise since 2003 and in recent years has anchored network specials including “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and the Academy Awards, has not commented publicly since the removal.

Sources cautioned there is no guarantee of an agreement or clarity on what conditions Kimmel would accept for a return. One person with knowledge of the situation said Kimmel is mindful of the potential job losses for dozens of production staff and Los Angeles vendors if the show ends, noting that some staff and crew are still recovering financially from the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes. Disney representatives declined to comment, and Kimmel’s media representative did not respond to requests for comment.

The decision set off criticism of Disney from across the political spectrum and drew free-speech arguments from advocates; demonstrations took place Thursday outside Disney offices in New York and Burbank and outside the Hollywood theater complex where the show is produced. Disney executives weighed the need to maintain broad station carriage for “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to meet advertiser ratings commitments; ad spending on the program totaled \$51.1 million in 2024, accounting for 21% of all late-night advertising, according to Guideline.

People familiar with the matter said ABC and Disney leadership had for some time flagged concerns to Kimmel about the sharpness of his critiques of President Donald Trump and his unprecedented takeover of federal agencies. Kimmel, like other commentators, has not held back in criticizing the Trump administration’s campaign with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to round up suspected undocumented immigrants in public and workplace settings, described in the article as proceeding without regard for constitutional norms of due process and equal justice.

Kimmel’s Monday remarks—asserting that conservatives were using Kirk’s death to make political points and noting President Trump’s muted response—spurred a Republican campaign against the show. On Wednesday, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened action against ABC and, after Disney’s decision, said he wanted “to thank Nexstar for doing the right thing,” adding: “Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest. Although the move may be without precedent, Carr argued that broadcasters should push back on Disney shows they believe don’t meet community standards. He later indicated he might review additional Disney programs, such as “The View.” As the controversy grew, Disney leaders decided to pull Kimmel to allow the MAGA-aligned media–driven dispute to cool down.

Government oversight may affect several parties involved in the coming months. Nexstar is seeking to acquire Tegna for \$6.2 billion, a deal that requires FCC approval; a Nexstar spokesman said Carr’s statements did not influence its decision to pre-empt Kimmel’s show. Sinclair recently announced a “comprehensive strategic review” of its broadcast business; any local-station transactions would also undergo FCC review. Disney, meanwhile, has secured a deal granting the National Football League a 10% stake in ESPN and is pursuing a majority stake in the Fubo live-streaming service to be combined with a similar Hulu-linked product, both of which require government permission.

Free-speech advocates from both the left and right, including Senator Ted Cruz and the American Civil Liberties Union, have argued that the government should not silence dissenting voices. Kimmel, who has considered when to end his late-night tenure, is described by associates as closer to the end than the beginning, yet aware that “Jimmy Kimmel Live” supports other Disney-backed endeavors he leads. Both sides are said to recognize that, if Kimmel ultimately chooses to exit, there are preferable paths—and Disney has shown interest in mapping those with him.