Jimmy Kimmel spoke candidly at the Bloomberg Screentime conference in Los Angeles, expressing concerns over the declining viewership of traditional network late-night shows. As the digital era reshapes media consumption habits, the long-standing model of late-night TV is facing challenges, with more audiences turning towards online platforms. Despite the visibility that YouTube provides, traditional television ratings are suffering. Kimmel shared his insights into the evolving media landscape and its economic impact on network television.
Why Does Kimmel Critique YouTube’s Economic Model?
Kimmel cites economic concerns as his primary issue with YouTube, suggesting that the platform benefits significantly from network content without shouldering production costs. Despite networks like ABC covering show expenses, YouTube profits without contributing financially.
“I’m very conscious of the fact that ABC pays for the show and YouTube pays nothing,”
he remarked. Declining viewership figures reveal the shifting landscape, as more young people turn to shorter, more accessible content online.
Is the Traditional Late-Night Format Still Relevant?
The relevance of traditional late-night formats is questioned as their audience numbers dwindle. Major shows including “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” have experienced notable drops in viewership. Kimmel acknowledges the challenging times. Without alterations to these formats to suit contemporary tastes, sustaining such late-night models under current conditions seems difficult.
Traditionally, late-night television thrived on syndication and reruns but now faces new pressures. The increasing popularity of online platforms has added complexity, with platforms like TikTok and podcasts capturing audience attention. Viewers have fragmented interests today, with their preferences shifting towards personalized, on-demand content across various digital channels. This shift presents formidable challenges for late-night formats that need a larger share of viewership to remain viable.
In response to such transformations, some late-night formats persist by evolving into digital-first concepts. For instance, “Hot Ones,” airing on YouTube, suggests a shift toward lower-cost, higher-impact content. Kimmel sees potential here, suggesting that late-night formats can succeed with lesser production requirements.
“Somebody will figure it out,”
he asserted, implying that adaptability could ensure survival in this media market.
Critics note that shows like “Gutfeld!” have gained traction by integrating partisan and cultural content, indicating a shift in viewer interests. By presenting opinion-driven content, these shows often cater to specific ideological demographics, further diversifying audience preferences. This diversification across media platforms reveals broader cultural and societal divides illustrated by TV ratings.
The integration of different media types, such as Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX)’s adaptation of popular podcasts into video formats, exemplifies changes across the media landscape. These ventures demonstrate a tailored approach to media consumption, enabling audiences to engage with content that reflects their preferences. As these consumption habits develop, late-night shows may need to respond with innovative structures to capture viewer interest.
