Disney: Jimmy Kimmel Returns Tuesday Evening To ABC

Disney announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would resume airing on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, ending a brief but highly publicized hiatus.

The decision followed intense negotiations between Kimmel’s team and Disney executives, including Dana Walden (Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment) and Rob Mills (Executive Vice President, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment, ABC). Disney’s statement emphasized that the resolution came after "thoughtful conversations with Jimmy," though specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed. 

Insiders suggest the talks focused on balancing Kimmel’s commitment to free speech with the network’s need to mitigate advertiser concerns, affiliate pressures, and potential FCC scrutiny.

The compromise appears to have avoided demands from some affiliates, such as Sinclair’s reported request for a public apology to Charlie Kirk’s family and a donation to Turning Point USA, Kirk’s organization. Kimmel has not issued a public statement since the suspension, and it’s unclear whether he will address the controversy in his return monologue. 

The show’s return is seen as a pragmatic move to protect the jobs of its production crew and local vendors, who faced uncertainty during the suspension, and to prevent further escalation with regulatory bodies. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez publicly countered Carr’s threats, stating there was "no legal basis" for revoking licenses over Kimmel’s comments, which likely eased pressure on Disney.

The suspension and swift return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! reflect broader tensions in the late-night television landscape, particularly under the current political climate of the Trump administration’s second term. 

The show’s ad revenue, which dropped to $51.1 million in 2024 (21% of late-night totals, per Nielsen data), and its viewership of 1.77 million in Q2 2025, made it vulnerable to boycotts and advertiser pullouts. The controversy follows the cancellation of CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in summer 2025, also over politically charged content, highlighting the precarious position of late-night hosts who tackle divisive issues.

When Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns on September 23, 2025, at 11:35 p.m. ET, all eyes will be on Kimmel’s approach. Will he double down on his free speech stance, address the controversy head-on, or pivot to lighter content to de-escalate? The show’s return is a tentative victory for late-night comedy, but it underscores the challenges hosts face in navigating polarized audiences, regulatory threats, and corporate pressures. 

Disney’s statement about avoiding further inflammation suggests a cautious approach, but Kimmel’s history of sharp political commentary indicates he may not shy away from the fray entirely.