The return of \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d to ABC on Tuesday night nearly quadrupled the show\u2019s usual ratings, according to multiple media reports, despite airing in only about 80% of its regular programming markets.<\/p>\n
Preliminary Nielsen figures show the episode averaged 6.26 million viewers, The Hollywood Reporter<\/a> said. That\u2019s the largest tune-in for a regular episode in the show\u2019s 22-year history \u2014 aside from a couple of specials.<\/p>\n That total is also nearly four times Kimmel\u2019s usual audience, The New York Times<\/a> noted, even as about 66 ABC affiliates owned by Nexstar and Sinclair blacked out the show, representing more than 20% of U.S. TV homes.<\/p>\n The broadcast also drew a 0.87 rating among adults 18\u201349, or about 1.18 million viewers in that demographic, according to THR. It was the best performance for a regularly scheduled episode in more than a decade.<\/p>\n Online, Kimmel\u2019s return reached even further. ABC uploaded the first 28 minutes of Tuesday\u2019s show \u2014 which included his monologue \u2014 to YouTube<\/a>, where it quickly surpassed 15 million views; across all platforms, the clip has already topped 26 million views, setting a new record for the late-night host, the outlet reported.<\/p>\n <\/a> This image released by Disney shows Jimmy Kimmel hosting his late night show \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (Randy Holmes\/Disney via AP)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Tuesday\u2019s broadcast was Kimmel\u2019s first since ABC and Disney suspended the program Sept. 17 following criticism over his remarks about the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The move came amid growing backlash, including from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, and set off a national debate over free speech.<\/p>\n In his 18-minute opening monologue, Kimmel addressed the remarks that led to his suspension.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything funny about it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n At the same time, he insisted that remaining silent was not an option: \u201cThe easy thing to do would be to shut up. But the easy thing isn\u2019t always the right thing. We have to speak out. We have to support each other, and we have to vote for leaders who believe in freedom of speech.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a> This image released by Disney shows host Jimmy Kimmel being embraced by Guillermo Rodriguez on \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (Randy Holmes\/Disney via AP)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n He also referenced FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who had threatened to investigate stations airing his show. Kimmel called it \u201cun-American,\u201d and pushed back against what he described as political intimidation:<\/p>\n \u201cA government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn\u2019t like is anti-American. This show is not important. What\u2019s important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Kimmel also turned his attention to President Donald Trump, saying, \u201cThe president made it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here get fired. Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can\u2019t take a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n