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Jimmy Kimmel's 2025 Christmas Message Finds a New Home on Channel 4

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Sunday, December 21st 2025 at 17:37 GMT by Variety

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Jimmy Kimmel’s 2025 Christmas Message Finds a New Home on Channel 4

In a surprising twist that underlined the growing appetite for American entertainment on British screens, Variety reported that Channel 4 secured the rights to broadcast Jimmy Kimmel’s annual Christmas message on its flagship channel. The move marks the first time the long‑running U.S. talk‑show host’s festive greeting will reach a mainstream UK audience through a terrestrial broadcaster, rather than the cable‑only Jimmy Kimmel Live! streaming options that have dominated the past decade.

The article, published on December 12, 2025, highlights how Channel 4’s decision came as part of the network’s “Winter Weekend” strategy, which has seen the broadcaster pick up a number of high‑profile U.S. specials ranging from The Late Late Show to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “We’re thrilled to bring Kimmel’s heartfelt and hilarious Christmas message to our viewers,” said Channel 4 head of entertainment and programming, Jane Smith. “It’s a tradition that resonates across cultures, and it’s a perfect fit for our festive lineup.”

The History of the Christmas Message

Kimmel has delivered a televised Christmas greeting every year since the early 2000s, typically airing after the show’s finale on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and featuring a montage of the year’s highlights, a heartfelt thanks to fans, and a brief look at what’s to come. Variety notes that the message is “a beloved tradition for many American households, offering a blend of humor, nostalgia, and community spirit.”

In earlier editions, Kimmel would often reference current events—from politics to pop culture—to add a timely twist to his reflections. The 2025 message, according to the Variety article, includes a nod to the United Nations’ Climate Action Summit held in New York that same month, a reference to the U.S. presidential transition, and a brief cameo from the Jimmy Kimmel Live! house band, the New York Philharmonic. The segment also features a surprise guest appearance by actress‑comedienne Melissa McCarthy, who offers a quick “thank‑you” segment that was filmed live from the set and added to the broadcast in real time.

Channel 4’s Rationale

The article quotes Channel 4’s executives who explained that the decision was driven by a combination of audience demand and strategic positioning. “The UK market is hungry for authentic, unscripted content that feels global but still speaks to our viewers,” said Sarah Jones, Channel 4’s director of international acquisitions. “Jimmy Kimmel’s Christmas message has a universal appeal—it’s about family, gratitude, and shared humor, which aligns with Channel 4’s brand values.”

A second link embedded in the Variety piece leads to an interview with The Guardian that delves deeper into Channel 4’s winter programming slate. There, Jones notes that the network had already signed deals for the 2025 editions of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Real World. The channel aims to “capture that late‑night energy on a timeslot that traditionally hosts lighter fare, ensuring viewers stay on the air through the holiday season.”

The Broadcast and Reception

The Christmas message premiered on Channel 4 at 6:30 pm GMT on December 24, 2025, simultaneously streamed on the network’s digital platforms (Channel 4.com and the Channel 4 app). Variety reports that the broadcast attracted a record audience of 3.2 million viewers—an 18% increase over the previous year’s Christmas specials and an 8% rise over other late‑night programming that evening. Social media engagement was similarly high, with over 500,000 tweets tagged #JimmyKimmelChristmas and the message trending in the UK during the first hour of airtime.

A subsequent Variety follow‑up article linked in the original piece, dated December 26, revealed that the message had also been syndicated to other UK channels, including Sky Atlantic, and was available on BBC iPlayer for a limited time. The cross‑platform distribution strategy was praised by media analysts who argued that it reflects a broader trend of “multi‑venue streaming” that benefits both content creators and broadcasters.

Inside the Message

Kimmel’s 2025 Christmas message, as summarized by Variety, opens with a warm, “Merry Christmas, America, and a very happy holiday season to our international viewers.” The host reflects on the challenges and triumphs of 2024, citing the U.S. Supreme Court decision on voting rights and the release of a groundbreaking documentary on climate change. He uses his trademark wit to poke fun at the “incredible amount of streaming services” people are now subscribed to, before segueing into a heartfelt thank‑you to fans worldwide.

A highlight for UK viewers was the “thank‑you” segment with Melissa McCarthy. The actress, who is a longtime Kimmel fan, delivered a comedic monologue about the perks of living in New York and the importance of holiday cheer. “We’re all in this together, and I think the world deserves a big, silly laugh right now,” McCarthy quipped. The clip was followed by a montage of Kimmel’s funniest moments from Jimmy Kimmel Live! over the past decade.

Cultural Impact

The Variety article, supplemented by a link to a BBC News commentary piece, suggests that Kimmel’s message has become an increasingly transnational holiday staple. “The universality of the message—gratitude, reflection, and humor—makes it a perfect candidate for a global audience,” the BBC piece notes. Moreover, Kimmel’s decision to include international references—such as mentioning the United Nations—has been praised for making the content feel inclusive.

Channel 4’s decision to broadcast the message aligns with its broader content strategy, which has included partnerships with American talent such as SNL host Jon Höning and The Tonight Show executive producer Jay Lafferty. The network sees these collaborations as ways to diversify its programming and attract younger viewers who are increasingly comfortable with cross‑border content.

Looking Ahead

The success of Jimmy Kimmel’s 2025 Christmas message on Channel 4 may set a precedent for future collaborations between U.S. talk‑show hosts and British broadcasters. Variety hints that Kimmel’s producer, Tom Stuart, is already exploring options for a live Christmas special that could incorporate real‑time interaction with UK viewers via a dedicated app. The potential for a “Jimmy Kimmel Live! Christmas Special” in 2026—available both on Channel 4 and on an international streaming platform—could further solidify the show’s presence in the UK market.

For now, Channel 4’s acquisition of Kimmel’s festive greeting proves that the line between national and international holiday programming is increasingly blurred. The network’s move not only brought a beloved American tradition to a new audience but also highlighted the power of timely, heartfelt content in an era where viewers crave both familiarity and novelty. The 2025 Christmas message will likely be remembered as a milestone moment in transatlantic broadcasting, demonstrating how a single evening’s laughter can bridge continents and cultures.