Tonight's Jimmy Kimmel Live Start Time by Market
Jimmy Kimmel Live typically airs at 11:35 PM ET on ABC after Nightline. On the West Coast, that is 8:35 PM PT. Exact local start times can vary by affiliate and market due to preemption rules for news, sports, and local programming. To confirm tonight’s start in your city, check your network affiliate listing or your TV provider’s schedule. Below are verified start benchmarks for the top 10 U.S. markets alongside common delay patterns for time-shifted viewing.
| Market | Affiliate | Typical Local Start (ET Basis) | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | WABC | 11:35 PM | Live feed follows ET schedule; delays possible for local news overrun | Network schedule |
| Los Angeles | KABC | 8:35 PM | PT market; often live; rare preemptions for special reports | Affiliate grid |
| Chicago | WLS | 10:35 PM | Central time slot; occasional sports overrun adjustments | Affiliate grid |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | KDFW | 10:35 PM | Central; delays for breaking news are possible | Affiliate grid |
| Philadelphia | WPVI | 11:35 PM | Live on ET; minimal variance unless special programming | Network schedule |
| Houston | KPRC | 10:35 PM | Central; local news length can shift start by 5–10 minutes | Affiliate grid |
| Miami | WPLG | 11:35 PM | Live on ET; rare delays for hurricane coverage or extended news | Affiliate grid |
| Washington, D.C. | WJLA | 11:35 PM | ET align; preemptions for emergency alerts are uncommon | Network schedule |
| Boston | WCVB | 11:35 PM | Live on ET; delays possible during red flag weather events | Affiliate grid |
| San Francisco | KGO | 8:35 PM | Pacific; usually live unless breaking Bay Area news occurs | Affiliate grid |
Standard Live Schedule and Typical Variations
Baseline Primetime Lineup
On most non-preempted nights, Jimmy Kimmel Live follows this pattern in Eastern time zones:
- Nightline concludes around 11:20 PM ET.
- Jimmy Kimmel Live begins at 11:35 PM ET.
- First commercial break typically occurs at 11:55 PM ET.
- Monologue and main segments run until 12:30 AM ET, followed by musical guests and interviews.
Time Zone Translation
Because the show is timed to Eastern feed, here is how it maps locally:
- ET: 11:35 PM
- CT: 10:35 PM
- MT: 9:35 PM
- Pacific: 8:35 PM
Mountain markets may observe 7:35 PM or 8:35 PM if the affiliate elects a zone-based slot; always verify locally.
How to Confirm Tonight’s Start in Your City
Because live scheduling can pivot for news, sports, or weather, use these steps to lock in the exact tonight start for where you watch:
- Check your local ABC affiliate page for tonight’s lineup; most sites and apps show a grid with “Live at” times.
- Open your TV provider’s schedule and search “Jimmy Kimmel Live” for your ZIP code; set reminders there.
- Use the ABC app or ABC.com and select your region to see the local feed start time.
- Ask a voice assistant for “Jimmy Kimmel Live start time in [city] tonight” for a spoken confirmation.
Preemption and Delay Patterns
Jimmy Kimmel Live can be delayed or moved in these common scenarios:
- Extended evening news during major breaking news or elections.
- Sports overruns, especially nationally televised baseball or NFL coverage in a market.
- Severe weather coverage that pushes live programming to later slots or next-day streaming.
- Special one-off events or network commitments that require temporary schedule shifts.
If you’re planning to watch live, add a 10–20 minute buffer if your market has a history of long evening newscasts. If you prefer delayed viewing, the show streams on Hulu next morning with limited ads and remains on ABC on demand for 72 hours.
Streaming and On-Demand Alternatives
When live timing is uncertain, these options provide reliable access:
- Hulu + Live TV: Streams the local ABC feed and lets you check the schedule per region.
- ABC app (free with TV credentials): Offers live stream and next-day episode depending on affiliate restrictions.
- On-demand via cable provider set-top box: Typically available 24 hours after broadcast.
- Official podcast and YouTube clips: Highlight segments within hours for catch-up.
FAQ
Reader questions
Does Jimmy Kimmel Live start at 11:35 PM everywhere?
No. The national feed begins at 11:35 PM ET, but local affiliates translate this to Central, Mountain, and Pacific based on market practices and can shift slightly for local news or sports. Always check your local ABC affiliate for tonight’s exact start.
What if I miss the live start?
Most cable and streaming providers offer on-demand episodes the same night. Time-shifted viewing on Hulu typically appears by late evening or early next morning with minimal editing.
Can breaking news change tonight’s start?
Yes. Significant developing stories can push the show later or move it to a different timeslot on short notice. When in doubt, check your local listing or network alert before tuning live.
Are there markets where the show does not air live?
In a few markets, affiliates may tape-delay the program to accommodate local habits or sports. Confirm with your provider if you notice consistent offsets from the standard schedule.
Why does the listed market table use Eastern time references?
Show schedules are anchored to Eastern Time because that’s the master feed source. Local times are derived by offsetting ET; the table normalizes markets to help you compare against your own local clock quickly.