Jimmy Kimmel nabs highest ratings in over a decade with post-suspension episode
Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night television after a brief suspension drew 6.26 million total viewers, according to preliminary Nielsen ratings, marking the show’s highest-performing regularly scheduled episode in over a decade.
The robust ratings are remarkable partly because a typical episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” attracts roughly 1.6 million viewers.
Disney, which owns the ABC broadcast network, highlighted that the latest episode of the show did not air in 23% of American households. That’s because Nexstar and Sinclair, two major owners of ABC broadcast affiliates, continue to refuse to run the show following Kimmel’s remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The late-night host had been at the center of a political firestorm for nearly a week after he commented on the political motivations of the man suspected of killing Kirk at an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
“The MAGA gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said during his Sept. 15 show.
Investigators had not yet released details about the suspect’s potential motive at the time of his comments.
Authorities have charged the suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, with murder. Officials said Robinson grew up in a conservative household in Utah but later became influenced by “leftist ideology.”
Following Kimmel’s episode last week, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr accused the host of being part of a “concerted effort to lie to the American people” and threatened to “take action” at the regulatory level against Disney.
ABC’s decision to temporarily pull the show drew backlash from Hollywood talent and lawmakers in both parties, stoking a national debate over free speech.
In the opening minutes of Tuesday’s episode, the 57-year-old comedian passionately defended free speech and mocked President Donald Trump.
“This show is not important,” he said. “What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”
He also attempted to smooth tensions.
“You understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said, his voice breaking. “I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.”
In less than 24 hours, Kimmel’s opening monologue has netted more than 26 million views across YouTube and other social media platforms, according to Disney.
The initial data does not include streaming viewership, Disney said.
Nexstar said Wednesday it was “continuing to evaluate the status of” Kimmel’s show.
“We are engaged in productive discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company, with a focus on ensuring the program reflects and respects the diverse interests of the communities we serve,” Nexstar said in a statement.
Sinclair, for its part, struck a similar chord: “Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”
Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night television after a brief suspension drew 6.26 million total viewers, according to preliminary Nielsen ratings, marking the show’s highest-performing regularly scheduled episode in over a decade.
The robust ratings are remarkable partly because a typical episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” attracts roughly 1.6 million viewers.
Disney, which owns the ABC broadcast network, highlighted that the latest episode of the show did not air in 23% of American households. That’s because Nexstar and Sinclair, two major owners of ABC broadcast affiliates, continue to refuse to run the show following Kimmel’s remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The late-night host had been at the center of a political firestorm for nearly a week after he commented on the political motivations of the man suspected of killing Kirk at an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
“The MAGA gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said during his Sept. 15 show.
Investigators had not yet released details about the suspect’s potential motive at the time of his comments.
Authorities have charged the suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, with murder. Officials said Robinson grew up in a conservative household in Utah but later became influenced by “leftist ideology.”
Following Kimmel’s episode last week, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr accused the host of being part of a “concerted effort to lie to the American people” and threatened to “take action” at the regulatory level against Disney.
ABC’s decision to temporarily pull the show drew backlash from Hollywood talent and lawmakers in both parties, stoking a national debate over free speech.
In the opening minutes of Tuesday’s episode, the 57-year-old comedian passionately defended free speech and mocked President Donald Trump.
“This show is not important,” he said. “What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”
He also attempted to smooth tensions.
“You understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said, his voice breaking. “I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.”
In less than 24 hours, Kimmel’s opening monologue has netted more than 26 million views across YouTube and other social media platforms, according to Disney.
The initial data does not include streaming viewership, Disney said.
Nexstar said Wednesday it was “continuing to evaluate the status of” Kimmel’s show.
“We are engaged in productive discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company, with a focus on ensuring the program reflects and respects the diverse interests of the communities we serve,” Nexstar said in a statement.
Sinclair, for its part, struck a similar chord: “Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”