ABC - ABC BETS ON KIMMEL

A week after it was reported that ABC had taped two hour-long episodes of Nightline, touching off speculation that the network might be planning to dump Jimmy Kimmel Live, Broadcasting & Cable reported today (Monday) that ABC is close to signing an extension deal with Kimmel that would keep him with the network "beyond 2009." In an interview with the trade publication, ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson said, "He wants us to bet on him, and we want to bet on him, so now we are moving forward." Seeming to address indirectly reports that the network continues to lose money on Kimmel's show, McPherson acknowledged, "We've invested a lot in building him. ... It would be silly to spend the money and then say goodbye."

19/02/2007