> At a Glance
> – Jimmy Kimmel won Best Talk Show at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on January 4, his first win since 2018.
> – He predicts the format will survive but says it may need a new name and leaner production.
> – Kimmel signed a one-year ABC extension, keeping Jimmy Kimmel Live! on air through the 2026-2027 season.
> – Why it matters: His comments suggest a shift toward smaller, more diverse late-night content as audiences splinter.
Fresh off his Best Talk Show victory, Jimmy Kimmel is making the case that late-night television isn’t dying-just evolving. Speaking backstage at the Santa Monica ceremony, the 58-year-old host outlined why he believes the genre will outlast its current form.
A Genre That Won’t Go Quietly
Kimmel told reporters the economics alone guarantee survival. “It seems to me it’s one of the cheapest forms of broadcasting, and it would be very surprising to me if it went away entirely,” he said.
He envisions a slimmer model:
- Fewer writers on staff
- No house band requirement
- Flexible time slots, not strictly after 11 p.m.
> “Maybe we need a different term for them,” he added, noting that some shows already air outside traditional hours yet keep the familiar format.
From Cancellation Scare to Comeback
The win caps a turbulent few months. ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! in September after on-air remarks about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, prompting an industry outcry.
> “I felt a little bit like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn watching their own funeral,” he said of the brief hiatus.
The public reaction, he claimed, showed people “draw the line” when comedians are targeted, fueling support that helped secure his return.
Looking Ahead
Kimmel’s new contract runs only through 2027, raising questions about the network’s long-term plans. Still, he sees opportunity in the uncertainty:
| Outlook | Traditional Model | Future Model |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Large ensembles | Lean teams |
| Schedule | Late-night slot | Anytime stream |
| Talent pool | Limited | Broader diversity |
> “Maybe it’ll be better because maybe there will be more opportunities for more people of various backgrounds and ages,” he said.
Key Takeaways
- Kimmel’s first Critics Choice win since 2018 arrives amid industry upheaval.
- He believes cost-efficiency guarantees some version of late-night will persist.
- Expect smaller budgets, flexible scheduling, and more niche programming ahead.
The host closed his acceptance speech with a tongue-in-cheek nod to the president-thanking “Donald Jennifer Trump” for supplying nightly material-before promising viewers “we can’t wait to get back on the air tomorrow night.”
