Kimmel's appointment comes after some political maneuvering between the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the US network ABC, which airs the annual film gongs.

In his favour is the fact that the 49-year-old host fronted a gently applauded and gaffe-free telecast of the 2016 Emmy Awards.

He has also previously hosted the Emmys, the sport Espy Awards and American Music Awards.

But it will be his first outing on Oscar's stage.

Kimmel is a favoured son at ABC; in addition to his own show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, they also air the Espy and American Music Awards.

But there is also some significance in the timing of the announcement: the Oscars are staged in late February, which means Kimmel's confirmation as host is coming late in the piece.

Historically most Oscar hosts are announced earlier than December.

That suggests there has been something of a delicate dance over who gets final sign off on the hosting gig, with ABC flexing a much greater amount of influence than they have in the past.

In August a new agreement was hammered out between the Academy and ABC which takes the Oscar partners through to 2028 and that agreement most likely granted ABC greater leverage over the hosting gig.

Kimmel will be the 10th person to host both an Oscar and an Emmy telecast.

His predecessors for that dual honour are Neil Patrick Harris, Jon Stewart, David Letterman, Ellen DeGeneres, Shirley MacLaine, Jane Fonda, Sammy Davis Jnr, Jimmy Carson and Frank Sinatra.

The 88th annual Academy Awards will be produced by Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd and will air on February 26, 2017.