Disney Leadership Questions the Economic Viability of Late-Night TV

Walden, speaking on Bloomberg’s “Screentime” in October 2026, described the late-night landscape as a challenging environment. She acknowledged that Kimmel is performing well, noting his most-watched season in eight years with an average of 2 million viewers for the 2025-2026 cycle. However, she emphasized that these figures represent a smaller overall audience compared to historical standards. The core issue, according to Walden, lies in the revenue model: while millions engage with Kimmel’s content via YouTube, the shift toward on-demand digital clips does not translate into a lucrative business for a premium broadcast production.

This uncertainty follows September 2026 reports that the show would conclude when Kimmel’s contract expires in May 2027. While an ABC spokesperson dismissed those claims as speculative, Walden’s recent comments suggest the network is balancing personal loyalty with fiscal reality. She described her relationship with the host as a deep friendship, yet noted that the company must reconcile Kimmel’s desires with the financial health of the network. Beyond his talk show, Kimmel remains a prolific producer for ABC and Netflix, helming projects like the revival of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and the upcoming documentary "SCTV: The Greatest Show You’ve Never Heard Of."