When Does Jimmy Kimmel Live Air: The Core Schedule
Jimmy Kimmel Live airs weeknights on ABC at 11:35 p.m. ET / 10:35 p.m. CT, 9:35 p.m. MT, and 8:35 p.m. PT, following Nightline. Most affiliate feeds begin the program between 11:00 and 11:35 p.m. local time; exact start times can vary by market. Weekend repeats and special episodes may shift slightly. All times refer to the live broadcast window for the main episode.
Local Affiliate Feeds Can Shift the Start Time
Because the show follows network scheduling, local ABC affiliates insert their own :30 or :60 minute local newscasts before the program. In markets with early late news, Jimmy Kimmel Live may start anywhere from 11:00 to 11:35 p.m., and the live portion you see can differ by up to a full half hour across the country. Use your TV provider’s channel guide or on-screen grid to confirm the precise local time.
How to Watch Jimmy Kimmel Live by Platform
- Over the air (OTA): Tune to your local ABC affiliate using an antenna; the station’s listing will show the local preemption or delay.
- Cable and satellite: Default channel for your provider’s ABC feed; the guide will list the accurate local air time.
- Streaming: Available with Live TV tiers on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and FuboTV, all carrying the local ABC feed.
- DirecStream and Frndly TV: Also carry ABC and show the program in local time slots.
- On demand: ABC.com and the ABC app provide same-day streaming; full episodes typically appear after the live window and remain available for roughly a week.
Jimmy Kimmel Live vs Other Late Night Programs
Jimmy Kimmel Live is an ABC production anchored in late-night talk, competing with programs on NBC, CBS, and streaming services. Its 11:35 p.m. ET start positions it after Nightline and into the traditional U.S. late-night block shared by The Tonight Show, Late Show, and others. Because it originates from Los Angeles, the Pacific Coast air time is 8:35 p.m., which is earlier than shows that tape later in the evening. The following table captures the typical scheduled air time in each U.S. time zone for the live network edition.
| U.S. Time Zone | Scheduled Live Air Time (Typical) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific (PST/PDT) | 8:35 p.m. | West Coast live; may shift slightly with local news length. |
| Mountain (MST/MDT) | 9:35 p.m. | Mountain live; subject to affiliate preemption windows. |
| Central (CST/CDT) | 10:35 p.m. | Central live; often includes regional sports delay considerations. |
| Eastern (EST/EDT) | 11:35 p.m. | Eastern live; network’s marquee late-night slot. |
Special Episodes, Preemptions, and Delayed Airings
Certain weeks, such as holiday broadcasts or heavily promotional sweeps periods, can push back the start by a few minutes or lead to abbreviated episodes. Sports overruns on Nightline or breaking news can delay or preempt the show on a given night; when this happens, ABC may air a repeat later or shift the lineup. Preemption notices typically appear in local listings and on the network’s digital platforms. If you miss the live airing, the on-demand episode usually becomes available the same evening and remains accessible for about a week.
Set Alerts to Match Your Time Zone
To avoid missing an episode, program your guide using local channel numbers and enable reminders. On streaming apps, add the ABC live stream to your lineup and check the local time zone mapping in the app’s settings. For antenna viewers, rescan channels periodically to capture any updated guide data that reflects schedule tweaks. Because start times can vary by market, anchor your planning to your local affiliate’s listing rather than a national time.
Jimmy Kimmel Live Format and Typical Episode Flow
Each 40- to 45-minute episode opens with a cold open, moves into monologue, celebrity and musical guests, audience Q&A, and bits tied to ongoing cultural moments. Because the show is produced in Los Angeles, East Coast viewers see a live feed with only a minimal broadcast delay for content compliance. Knowing this flow helps viewers gauge when major segments will appear if they’re watching on demand later. The consistent structure means repeat viewers can anticipate where in the show any guest or bit will land.
Summary of Key Air Time Facts
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Live Start (ET) | 11:35 p.m. | Network schedule (ABC) |
| Typical Live Start (PT) | 8:35 p.m. | Network schedule (ABC) |
| Program Type | Network late-night talk | Official series listing |
| On-Demand Window | Same-day to ~7 days | Standard ABC on-demand policy |
| Preemption Risk | Low, but local news or breaking news can delay | Network operations practice |
Plan Around Your Local Feed
Because air time hinges on your local ABC affiliate and its news block lengths, the most reliable method is to check your cable guide, antenna scan, or streaming app for the exact minute the program appears in your lineup. Once you know how your market schedules the show, you can set consistent reminders and choose between live viewing or on-demand catch-up with minimal friction.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Jimmy Kimmel Live air live everywhere? The main network feed is broadcast live in all U.S. time zones, though local affiliates may delay it slightly to fit :30 or :60 minute news blocks.
- What if my station preempts the show? Check your provider’s on-demand library; most episodes are available the same night and remain for several days.
- Can I watch live streams without cable? Yes, Live TV services and an antenna paired with a digital-streaming app (where available) provide access to the local ABC feed.
Why Air Time Matters for Viewers and Advertisers
Knowing the precise local air time helps you watch live for up-to-the-minute cultural moments and enables appointment behavior for advertisers measuring delivery against time zone–specific audiences. Consistent timing also supports habit formation; once you anchor to your local schedule, it’s easy to integrate the program into a weekly routine.
Final Note on Schedule Stability
Jimmy Kimmel Live maintains a firm, long-standing time slot within the late-night block, making it easy to plan around. Occasional tweaks for breaking news or special weeks are standard broadcast practice and do not undermine the show’s overall dependability as a nightly appointment.
How to Find Your Exact Local Air Time Right Now
Check your set-top box guide, your provider’s TV app, or type “ABC [your city] schedule” into a search engine for the most accurate feed. You can also visit abc.com/live and enter your ZIP code to see the local affiliate and its current listing for Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Quick Reference Checklist
- Check your local ABC affiliate’s schedule for the exact start.
- Set a reminder in your TV guide or streaming app for your zone.
- Rescan your antenna periodically to capture updated listings.
- Use on-demand if you miss the live feed; it’s typically available same day to one week.
- Remember: 8:35 p.m. PT, 9:35 p.m. MT, 10:35 p.m. CT, 11:35 p.m. ET for the national telecast.