Jimmy Kimmel Set for Channel 4’s Christmas Broadcast
Jimmy Kimmel will deliver Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message, tackling free speech and his ongoing clash with Donald Trump. The much-anticipated address airs at 5:45pm on Christmas Day.
Jimmy Kimmel is lined up to present Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message this year, stepping into a tradition that’s seen a colourful mix of speakers since its launch in 1993. The annual broadcast, which offers a counterpoint to the King’s speech, has previously featured the likes of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whistle-blower Edward Snowden, and Major Andrew Stockton, a veteran of the Afghan conflict.
Spotlight on Free Speech and Public Debate
Kimmel’s appearance comes after a year where he’s rarely been out of the headlines, thanks in large part to his ongoing spat with Donald Trump. Back in September, Kimmel was briefly suspended from his ABC show after making remarks about the reaction to right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s death. Trump was quick to celebrate the suspension, but the move sparked a much wider conversation about free speech in the media.
More than 400 figures from the entertainment world, including Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks, and Jennifer Aniston, put their names to an open letter backing Kimmel. The groundswell of support and public protest saw him reinstated, and he’s since inked a new deal to stay on air until 2027. Despite this, Trump has kept up his attacks, posting on Truth Social in November:
“Why does ABC Fake News keep Jimmy Kimmel, a man with NO TALENT and VERY POOR TELEVISION RATINGS, on the air?”
He went on,
“Why do the TV Syndicates put up with it? Also, totally biased coverage. Get the bum off the air!!!”
Christmas Message with a Local Flavour
In his upcoming address, Kimmel plans to tackle the state of free speech and share his worries about the possibility of Trump returning for a second term. He’ll be delivering his message in classic British style, sitting beside a cuppa and a plate of bikkies. At one point, he’ll quip,
“From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year.”
He’s also set to thank those who stood by him during his suspension. According to an insider,
“He says the reason that he is back on air is because people spoke out and people protested.”
When to Tune In
Kimmel’s Alternative Christmas Message is scheduled to air on Channel 4 at 5:45pm on December 25th. The broadcast is expected to draw plenty of attention, given the year he’s had and the topics he’s set to cover.