CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live" have both been picked up for the 2004-05 season, each talk show's respective distributor announced over the weekend.

"Ellen," which comes from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and Telepictures Productions, has been cleared in more than 50 markets representing about 60% of the country for the 2004-05 season. NBC's 14 owned-and-operated local stations - WNBC-TV (New York), KNBC-TV (Los Angeles), WMAQ-TV (Chicago), WCAU-TV (Philadelphia), KNTV-TV (San Jose/San Francisco), KXAS-TV (Dallas/Ft. Worth), WRC-TV (Washington, DC), WTVJ-TV (Miami), KNSD-TV (San Diego), WVIT-TV (Hartford), WNCN-TV (Raleigh), WCMH-TV (Columbus), WVTM-TV (Birmingham) and WJAR-TV (Providence) - were the latest to sign on for the show's second season.

"Ellen" averaged a 2.8 rating/8 share during the recently concluded November Sweep, improving in year-to-year time period comparisons by 22% in rating (2.3) and 14% in share (7). "'Ellen' has been a terrific addition to our line-up and we are thrilled to have her back for another season," said NBC Television Stations president Jay Ireland in a press release touting the news. "Her dynamic personality, wonderful sense of humor and ability to connect with the audience is the key to her success. The series is not only bringing more viewers to our stations, but has great demographics."

As for "Kimmel," the pickup comes as little surprise as the late-night talk show is averaging 1.74 million viewers and a 0.7 rating/4 share among adults 18-34 this season, up 6% and 17% respectively from last season (1.64 million, 0.6/4 among adults 18-34). And during the week of November 24, the Touchstone Television series turned in its best week ever among men 18-34 (1.0/5) and men 18-49 (1.0/5).

"We've always known Jimmy's had a great deal of raw talent," Lloyd Braun, Chairman of the ABC Entertainment Television Group, said in ABC's press release about the news. "It's exciting watching him use that talent to become such a dynamic and gifted Late-Night host. The sky is the limit for Jimmy and this show."