Disney President Dana Walden Talks Jimmy Kimmel’s Future on ABC: ‘We’re Trying to Make Sense of the Business’
The company's chief creative officer admits YouTube isn't a "lucrative opportunity for a very premium talk show" The post Disney President Dana Walden Talks Jimmy Kimmel’s Future on ABC: ‘We’re Trying to Make Sense of the Business’ appeared first on TheWrap .
Disney president Dana Walden spoke about the future of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" at Thursday's Bloomberg Screentime conference. When asked about the show's longevity, Walden declined to make any forward-looking statements, joking she would leave the news-breaking to HBO boss Casey Bloys. She acknowledged the challenges of the late-night television landscape, noting that Kimmel's ratings are up, but they are relative to a smaller audience watching late night on broadcast television.
Walden specifically pointed out the difficulties in the late-night ecosystem, where Kimmel's monologues and segments drive massive viewership on YouTube, but this is not a lucrative opportunity for a premium talk show. "We're trying to make sense of the business while also honoring a deep partnership," Walden said. She expressed her love for Kimmel, stating that they have a great friendship and are close to many people at Disney.
Kimmel and Disney executives are currently in talks about how the show will proceed at the network, following negotiations to renew his late-night show through the 2026-27 television season. The one-year contract for Kimmel is less than the typical three-year deals, amid turbulence for the late-night space, following the cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."
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