British television network Channel 4 announced on Sunday that popular U.S. host and comedian will deliver a "deeply personal" 2025 Alternative Christmas message for the channel's viewers in the U.K. The subject of his message is expected to be his reflections post the temporary suspension of his show in the U.S. back in September.
For context, Kimmel's show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was cancelled by ABC in September 2025 after his controversial televised statements on the Charlie Kirk assassination triggered conservative and right-wing groups. U.S. President Donald Trump had put pressure on ABC's parent company, Disney, to temporarily suspend the show, following which the show was pulled indefinitely. The move was naturally lambasted by free speech advocates, celebrities, and political figures, prompting widespread boycott of the network. After several days of suspension, the network eventually reinstated the show.
Kimmel, in the year’s final episode broadcast last week, expressed his appreciation for the continued support of his show. He said, “On behalf of all of us at the show, I just want to say that we appreciate your support, your enthusiasm, and not just for watching. This year, you literally pulled us out of a hole, and we cannot thank you enough,” while reminding his fellow Americans that it's important to let everyone across the globe know that "a lot of us are not OK with what is happening."
“There is still much more good in this country than bad, and we hope that you will bear with us during this extended psychotic episode that we’re in the middle of,” said Kimmel.
Kimmel's 2025 Alternative Christmas message is expected to go live on Christmas Day at 5.45 pm.
In an official statement, a Channel 4 spokesperson said: “Donald Trump’s return to the White House and wide-ranging impact on the world has been the story of 2025, and it would be hard to think of a better person to address it than Jimmy Kimmel, who has found himself on the frontline of America’s battle over free speech.”
