The network said Tuesday that starting in January, Kimmel's talk show will take over the 11:35 p.m. time slot long held by the news magazine "Nightline."
"Nightline" will move to the 12:35 a.m. slot and will get a new weekly prime-time slot.
ABC says the move takes advantage of ratings growth by Kimmel's show and the potential for greater ad revenue.
Kimmel's show will move to 11:35 p.m. Eastern on Jan. 8, with "Nightline" starting an hour later on the next night, Jan. 9, and debuting in prime time on March 1.
In its new slot, Kimmel will face NBC's "The Tonight Show" with Leno and CBS' "Late Show" with Letterman.
