Jimmy Kimmel’s post-suspension ratings surge appears to be over.
After a brief comeback, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! has seen its audience plummet — losing nearly three-quarters of its viewers since his highly publicized return. Disney had suspended the late-night show last month after Kimmel’s remarks about the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk sparked intense backlash.
When Disney reversed course, Kimmel’s first episode back on September 23 drew massive numbers. But by Thursday, October 2, the show averaged just 1.9 million viewers — a 71% drop from his return night. Among adults aged 25-54, the key advertising demographic, Jimmy Kimmel Live! drew only 265,000 viewers, down 85% from September 23. It was Kimmel’s smallest demo audience since the suspension.
Before the controversy, Kimmel averaged 1.6 million total viewers in 2025. If the decline continues, his ratings will return to pre-scandal levels — or lower.
Adding to his woes, Fox News’ Gutfeld! dominated across the board, pulling in 2.8 million total viewers — 49% more than Kimmel — and topping him by 40% in the key demo with 370,000 viewers.
Kimmel landed in hot water last month after falsely claiming that Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect charged with assassinating conservative leader Charlie Kirk, was part of the “MAGA gang.” The claim quickly fell apart when the indictment revealed Robinson held left-wing views.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” Kimmel said on air. The backlash was swift. Stations owned by Nexstar and Sinclair pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their lineups, and the FCC began reviewing complaints.
Disney suspended the show soon after, prompting angry protests from the left. Demonstrators gathered outside Disney’s Burbank headquarters and Kimmel’s Hollywood studio, chanting, “ABC bent the knee! No to the FCC!”
The suspension lasted less than a week. Kimmel returned with a fiery monologue that fell short of a full apology — then quickly resumed his nightly attacks on Donald Trump and conservatives.
But critics weren’t satisfied. “Kimmel is an unrepentant liar who tried to blame Charlie’s assassination on the part of the country that just spent the last two weeks praying and holding vigils,” said Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet.
With ratings now tanking, Kimmel’s future at ABC may depend on whether viewers — and advertisers — decide to stick around.