Capitalizing on ratings momentum, advertising demand and increased revenue potential for entertainment programming in the 11:35 p.m. time slot, ABC today announced a strategic shift in its late-night strategy to better position the network for increased ratings and financial performance over the long term.
On Tuesday, January 8, "Jimmy Kimmel Live," the only late-night broadcast talk show to increase in Total Viewers this past season, will move to 11:35 p.m., putting the show in head-to-head competition with "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Show with David Letterman."
Proven late-night performer "Nightline" will shift to 12:35 a.m., allowing viewers to begin and end their broadcast day with news. The moves are timed to take advantage of the built-in promotional platforms provided by ABC's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" and ESPN's Bowl Championship Series, which culminates with the National Championship Game on Monday, January 7.
In addition, "Nightline" will expand its programming commitments with a move into primetime, Friday nights at 9:00 p.m. beginning March 1. Given its success and growth, the ABC News series "What Would You Do?" will also find a new home on the schedule.
Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks
and president, Disney/ABC Television Group, said: "Given the passionate
fan base 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' has built over the past decade and the
show's ratings and creative momentum this season, the time is right to
make this move. There is the potential for far greater upside over the
long term with this shift, given increased advertiser demand for
competitive entertainment programming in the time slot." She continued:
"This shift also allows us to bookend our programming day with
compelling news content. And the addition of a new primetime hour of
'Nightline' on Friday nights will ensure that the program has even more
opportunities to continue its incredible, award-winning reporting."
For
the complete 2011-12 Broadcast TV Season, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" grew its
overall audience over the prior season by 3% in Total Viewers to
generate its most-watched season in 5 years. In addition, "JKL" was the
only late-night broadcast talk show to grow year over year in Total
Viewers.
And the show's ratings momentum has
continued. During the recent July sweep, ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live"
surged year to year by 15% in Total Viewers to deliver its most-watched
July sweep ever. Notably, "JKL" grew its overall audience year over year
in all 4 sweeps of the 2011-12 Season. The program was also up over the
year-ago sweep by 5% in Adults 18-49 to score its best July in 4 years -
since 2008. In addition, "JKL" stood as the only broadcast talk show in
late-night to achieve yearly growth in either Total Viewers or Adults
18-49. And on Sunday, September 23, Jimmy Kimmel will take another turn
in the spotlight when he hosts the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
The
shift for "Nightline" in late-night and the addition of a new
"Nightline" broadcast hour in primetime, timed to utilize the Academy
Awards as a promotional platform, continues the momentum of ABC News,
which has enjoyed a banner year of success and growth. From a resurgent
"Good Morning America," to the groundbreaking, innovative digital deal
with Yahoo that immediately catapulted ABC News to the top of digital
news delivery, to the recently completed joint venture with Univision
for a 24-hour culturally relevant lifestyle and news channel for U.S.
Hispanics -- the fastest growing demographic in the nation -- ABC News
has gone from strength to strength and success to success.
In
commenting on the announcement, Ben Sherwood, president, ABC News,
said: "'Nightline' has proven its ability to grow over three decades on
the air, with the show currently enjoying some of its highest ratings
and best editorial work ever. The 'Nightline' team will now bring its
excellent journalism to new time periods, and we especially welcome the
chance to produce an hour every Friday in primetime, where new audiences
will be introduced to the program's signature storytelling,
interviewing and investigations. I'm confident 'Nightline' and its
dynamic anchors, correspondents and staff will enjoy many successes for
years to come."
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