Should ABC move Kimmel and Nightline back to their original slots?

[frankberry]

Please stop discussing politics. Let's get back on the original subject.

 

[TheBigA]

Nobody lives in Connecticut to escape high taxes!

Read what I wrote. I said they live in Pennsylvania to escape high taxes.

Mainly the reason why CNN has been moving to NY is that talent pool is much greater.

They could staff the last place news channel with readers from Omaha. They got better ratings when they were based in Atlanta.

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

The networks spend a lot of money on these shows, they will be hard pressed to get rid of them but, if politics turns off younger people as the ratings suggest, network executives will tell host to tone it down.

They do spend a sizable chunk of change, because, for the time being, it’s a good investment. When the return isn’t there, that will change. They won’t be hard pressed if and when there’s not a good business case for continuing.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Well, that link is from 2012. I'm not sure there is any relevance to it today. It would also be worthy to look at what was happening in the news to make Nightline a ratings leader back then. 2012 was a Presidential Election year, with Mitt Romney eventually nominated to take on incumbent Obama. There was Hurricane Sandy that hit the NE, but other than those two events, not a lot of news.

It should also be noted that three comedy network talk shows at 11:30/10:30 are not the norm historically. Yes, we all remember Leno vs. Letterman, but over the past 60 years, there rarely has been a 3-way competition that was remotely close.

Whether all three of the late night shows can survive today is anyone's guess. I don't have a favorite at this point, unlike my younger years where I knew who I liked pure and simple. That may be part of the problem today.

But to your question, no that is not really an option IMO. First, Kimmel would probably not look kindly to being demoted, and would likely get a big contract exit deal that would hurt ABC, (not knowing specifics on his contract). On the plus side, as we approach another Presidential Election in just a year or so (yes, the campaigning will begin that soon!) Nightline perhaps could be a ratings winner once again. Lots of unknowns here, but a good question posed.

I don't think Nightline or Kimmel would switch back to their original time spots at this point given that theres shows on demand and apps carrying Late night shows and people can watch them anytime.