(Newser)
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Jimmy Kimmel is getting a bigger spotlight: Starting Jan. 8, his show will be moved to 11:35pm, putting him in direct competition with Jay Leno and David Letterman. The shift is the result of improving ratings and growing advertising demand, the Hollywood Reporter notes. With a 3% jump in total viewers this season, Jimmy Kimmel Live was the only late-night broadcast program to increase its viewership. "The time is right to make the move," says president of Disney/ABC Television Group Anne Sweeney.
"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 timeslot." Nightline will air afterward, at 12:35—and it will also get an hourlong slot on Fridays at 9pm. It's been a big year for Kimmel, the Reporter observes, between his White House Correspondents Dinner appearance, Emmy hosting gig, and his show's first Emmy nod in the late-night category—not to mention his engagement.
