ABC Sees a Contender in Jimmy Kimmel

The following is an excerpt from an article in

The New York Times
Wednesday, August 22, 2012

ABC Sees a Contender in Jimmy Kimmel

By BILL CARTER

In 2002, ABC pulled out every stop to lure David Letterman away from CBS, offering him the time period occupied by its news program "Nightline." The network failed, and soon after inserted a new late-night host, Jimmy Kimmel, in the hour after "Nightline."

In 2008, ABC aggressively pursued Jay Leno, who was about to be displaced at NBC's "Tonight" show by Conan O'Brien, looking to give Mr. Leno the same slot still owned by "Nightline." Mr. Leno decided instead to try his ill-fated prime-time show on NBC. ABC stuck with Jimmy Kimmel.

Now, the network has decided that it finally has the man to take on both Mr. Leno and Mr. Letterman: Jimmy Kimmel.

ABC announced Tuesday that in January it would move "Jimmy Kimmel Live" to the 11:35 time slot, the same time as both Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" and the "Late Show With David Letterman."

For the network, the change represents a significant gamble.

First, ABC is removing "Nightline" when that program finally has audiences larger than Mr. Leno's or Mr. Letterman's. The 32-year-old news program will surely see a decline in viewership after being asked to follow Mr. Kimmel at 12:35. As a concession, ABC is giving "Nightline" a prime-time hour on Fridays at 9 p.m. starting in March.

Second, ABC is betting that a generational shift is going on in late-night television, and that it will be in position to capitalize. ABC is hoping to increase its percentage of viewers between the ages of 18 and 49 - the favorite of many advertisers - with an entertainment program headed by a star two decades younger than Mr. Letterman and Mr. Leno.

For more, visit www.nytimes.com.