Disney president Dana Walden avoids answering question on Jimmy Kimmel Live’s future

Disney president and chief creative officer Dana Walden declined to confirm whether Jimmy Kimmel Live would continue after the host’s contract ends in May 2027 when she was pressed at a Bloomberg Screentime event on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.

Walden told the audience, “I’m not going to make that announcement here with you today,” and added that she was “letting Casey make the news.” She later explained that late‑night television is a “very challenging daypart,” noting that Kimmel’s ratings are up but only relative to a smaller broadcast audience.

She emphasized that the show’s substantial YouTube following – millions of on‑demand views – does not translate into “premium talk‑show money,” and that Disney is trying to balance the business realities with its partnership with Kimmel.

Walden also expressed personal regard for the host, saying, “I love Jimmy. We have a great friendship. He’s close to a number of the people at Disney, and again, we’re trying to work through it.” The remarks came amid ongoing negotiations reported by industry sources, which suggest the show may need to reduce its budget by roughly 20 percent to stay on air.

Earlier reports in the New York Post and Page Six claimed the show could end in 2027, a claim ABC initially denied. No other outlet has confirmed the story, and Disney’s official statement labeled any speculation as “purely speculative.”

The uncertainty comes as other late‑night programs face similar challenges, with rival shows experiencing cost cuts and network realignments. Walden’s comments underscore the financial pressures affecting premium talk shows in an era of declining live broadcast viewership.

Both Walden and Kimmel have not provided a definitive timeline, leaving industry observers to watch for further updates as contract negotiations progress.