Jimmy Kimmel’s recent return to television has turned into a surprising spectacle that quickly fizzled out. Just three days post-relaunch, Kimmel witnessed a staggering 70 percent drop in his ratings, a fall that could put significant pressure on his long-term viability with ABC.
Kimmel’s ratings plummeted from a reported high of 6.3 million viewers to just 2.4 million, suggesting that the hype around his comeback couldn’t sustain interest. This week, Kimmel’s average viewership was significantly above his typical 1.7 million, but even that spike was overshadowed by the swift and dramatic decline. As Bobby Burack of OutKick pointed out on X, “Jimmy Kimmel lost 70% of its viewers from Tuesday to Wednesday.” His prediction? “I expect Kimmel to be back below 2 million by Monday.”
This drop-off is not merely a ratings issue. It raises questions about Kimmel’s relevance in a crowded late-night landscape that includes sharp competition from hosts like Greg Gutfeld, who averaged over 3.2 million viewers in the same timeframe. Kimmel’s immediate future seems less certain, especially with affiliations like Sinclair and Nexstar choosing to strategically realign their positions regarding Kimmel’s show. Nexstar’s grip on its 32 affiliates—still blocking “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”—adds another layer of complexity to Kimmel’s situation, particularly as ABC contemplates major decisions ahead of the 2027 Super Bowl.
Kimmel’s brief suspension this week showcased a significant public and media backlash that could spell trouble for a figure perceived as increasingly divisive. Following his return, many likely tuned in specifically to see if Kimmel would apologize for his previous remarks. Instead, they found the comedian unchanged, which may have played a role in the rapid viewer attrition.
Late-night television has morphed into a battleground where ratings reflect more than just entertainment quality. Viewers seem to be sending a strong message, voting with their remotes in favor of hosts who engage with them authentically rather than those who engage in divisive rhetoric. After all, as Gutfeld, who is enjoying considerable success, has pointed out, the late-night scene can be “too hot” for creators who let their biases overshadow their humor.
Kimmel’s predicament shows how fleeting popularity can be in the tough landscape of late-night television. With shifting viewer preferences starkly visible, Kimmel’s future may depend on how he adapts to these changes amid an increasingly critical audience. The question remains: can he redefine his style to reclaim lost viewers, or is his time fading faster than he anticipated? Only time will tell, but for now, the swift decline in ratings raises more questions than it answers about the late-night space and Kimmel’s place within it.
"*" indicates required fields
