Around the Net

ABC Ready To Extend Kimmel Contract Through 2009

ABC and Jimmy Kimmel are close to a contract extension that would keep the network's late-night star past the 2009 season -- just when NBC's Conan O'Brien is scheduled to take over from Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show."

The deal means ABC is upping its bet on Kimmel, whose ratings are up double digits in both adults 18-49 and total viewers season-to-date. "We all feel like we're growing this thing," says ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson. "He wants us to bet on him, and we want to bet on him, so now we are moving forward." And the move also keeps the network out of a potential bidding war for Kimmel, whose improving late-night personality and growing audience could have been a fit for Fox, which wants back in the daypart.

advertisement

advertisement

Read the whole story at Broadcasting & Cable »

Next story loading loading..