ABC Jimmy Kimmel Live Episode News: Network Extends Host's Contract Until 2017
On Tuesday, it was announced that ABC has extended its contract with late-night star Jimmy Kimmel for two more years.
That means that "Jimmy Kimmel Live" will run until January 2017, competing against other popular late-night shows on NBC and CBS, reports The Hollywood Reporter. Former SNL star Jimmy Fallon currently hosts "The Tonight Show" on NBC, while Stephen Colbert is slated to replace David Letterman on CBS's late show in 2015.
Kimmel started back in January 2003 and is now filming his 11th season at the network. Not only has he raised his profile during that time, but he has gained popularity through original pranks like his "Worst Twerk Fail Ever" video which received over 16 million views on YouTube and more than 19 million views on his show.
According to the New York Times, Kimmel has managed to increase his viewership for four consecutive seasons. His show has risen 16 percent in total viewers this season and 13 percent among viewers coveted by advertisers between the ages of 18 and 49. In that key 18-49 demographic, Kimmel pulls in 917,000 viewers and outpaces Letterman by 162,000 viewers. Before Jay Leno was replaced by Fallon, Leno outranked his broadcast rivals with 1.13 million demo viewers. However, Kimmel's momentum helped sway NBC's decision to bump Fallon up into the 11:35 p.m. Tonight Show slot. Since taking over "The Tonight Show," he has garnered more viewers in the 18-49 demo than either Letterman or Kimmel.
At CBS, longtime "Late Show" host David Letterman recently announced his plans to retire next year. As a result, Comedy Central is currently looking for a replacement for the "Colbert Report," which will also end at the end of this year.
E! late night TV host Chelsea Handler also announced her departure at the end of the year, reports The Hollywood Reporter.