The Uncertain Future of Late-Night Television Has Jimmy Kimmel ‘Worried’

The way we consume entertainment has transformed dramatically. Such traditions are long gone and people no longer huddle around a radio set or watch rented movies over the weekend. With advancements in technology, we have moved from physical media and network television to streaming services.

Worries about late-night TV

Jimmy Kimmel, a prominent late-night host for over two decades, is no stranger to this evolving landscape. After kicking off his career as a radio jockey, Kimmel found his niche in network television, making him a prime part of the late-night culture. But he needs to be clearer about its future prospects. 
In an interview with the Politickin' podcast, the American television host said he believes that late-night television could be on its way out and might be different in the future. "In ten years, there may only be one late-night show, if any," he speculated.

The rise of streaming and its impact

On-demand streaming services have allowed the audience to tune in anywhere and watch anything at any time. This change in behavior has diminished the appeal of traditional programming. As Kimmel noted, "Once people stop watching it live, networks will stop funding it." Similar trends have been seen in the departure of talk show hosts like James Corden, whose place was taken by a game show rather than another talk program.

Kimmel's uncertain future

The seasoned late-night host admits that the changing landscape troubles him. Hosting is his passion, and he shivers to think about what he will do after late-night TV. While he has continually renewed his contract, the idea of retirement is not far from the horizon. The challenge, he says, lies in finding new opportunities once his hosting days are over.
The future of late-night TV shows in its current state is uncertain. But one thing is for sure the entertainment landscape is in constant flux. As audiences increasingly prefer on-demand entertainment, it will be intriguing to see where talk shows fit into the future of television.