Jimmy Kimmel is a prominent late night host and television personality whose career includes notable work with CBS in his early professional years. This article explains his relationship with the network, the roles he held, key milestones, and his current primary affiliation. It draws on verifiable program histories and network announcements to provide a durable reference for understanding how CBS fits into his broader career. The focus here is on confirmed roles, dates, and outcomes, avoiding speculation or rumor.
Key Relationship With CBS
Jimmy Kimmel worked with CBS during the late 1990s as a correspondent based in Los Angeles, contributing to CBS News programming including CBS News Sunday Morning and other segments. This period provided national exposure and helped establish his on air presence before he moved to late night. After his time at CBS, he developed other ventures, including early work on Comedy Central and eventually his own late night shows. His main long term affiliation for late night has been with ABC and its parent Disney, through Jimmy Kimmel Live!, rather than with CBS.
Notable CBS Programs and Roles
During his CBS News period, Kimmel appeared on recurring segments and filled in on anchored news briefs when needed. He was not a permanent anchor or host at the network but functioned as a contributing correspondent. His work involved reporting, interviews, and feature pieces aligned with CBS News standards at the time. The arrangement was part of a broader multiplatform news approach by CBS that incorporated contributors from varied backgrounds.
Timeline Highlights at CBS
| Time Period | Role at CBS | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Late 1990s | CBS News Los Angeles Correspondent | Contributor segments, not a nightly anchor |
| Specific start year not publicly confirmed | Correspondent | Part of CBS News digital and broadcast integration |
| Transition out around 1999–2000 | Left for other projects | Shifted focus toward Comedy Central and later late night on ABC |
Career Context Beyond CBS
After leaving CBS, Kimmel moved to Comedy Central, where he worked as a writer and occasional on-air host. He co-created and starred in The Man Show and Crank Yankers, which built his profile in alternative comedy. In 2003, he launched Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC, which remains his primary platform. That show has produced consistent ratings, celebrity interviews, and recurring segments, establishing him as a durable figure in late night without reliance on CBS.
Comparison of Key Roles
| Network / Platform | Role | Years Active |
|---|---|---|
| CBS News | Correspondent (Los Angeles) | Late 1990s |
| Comedy Central | Writer, on-air contributor | Late 1990s–early 2000s |
| ABC | Host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! | 2003–present |
Relationship Status With CBS Today
Jimmy Kimmel does not currently hold a role at CBS. His primary on air presence is through ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which is produced by and airs on ABC owned stations and affiliated partners. There have been no official announcements of him returning to CBS in any regular or guest capacity. Occasional guest appearances on CBS programs have occurred, but these are one-off, not indicative of an ongoing professional relationship.
Common Questions
- Did Jimmy Kimmel ever have a show on CBS?
- Does Jimmy Kimmel still contribute to CBS News?
- Why is there confusion about his CBS role?
No. He was a correspondent for CBS News, not a host of a branded show on the network.
No regular contributions are documented. He appears only sporadically as a guest elsewhere.
Early career segments on national news and retrospective clips sometimes blur lines between contributor and host.
Reputational and Professional Impact
Kimmel’s time at CBS helped him gain national broadcast experience, but it was a relatively brief phase in a longer career. His brand is now closely tied to satire, late night, and political commentary on ABC. Movements between legacy networks and cable have been common among broadcast professionals, yet long term success often depends on flagship shows, which for Kimmel is Jimmy Kimmel Live! rather than any CBS affiliation.
Conclusion
Jimmy Kimmel’s relationship with CBS is historically accurate but limited to a correspondent role in the late 1990s. He has not been with the network in an on air or hosting capacity for many years and is currently based primarily with ABC. Understanding this timeline clarifies his professional trajectory and underscores why his long term work is identified with late night on ABC rather than with CBS.