Jimmy Kimmel’s highly publicized return to late-night television has been followed almost immediately by a steep ratings decline, with viewership dropping [1] by nearly 70 percent just three days after his comeback.
BREAKING ️
Jimmy Kimmel’s ratings have plummeted 70% since returning 3 days ago..
pic.twitter.com/6MFrYnmNEU [2]
— American AF (@iAnonPatriot) September 27, 2025 [3]
OutKick reported that ABC reinstated the late-night host earlier this week after a short suspension, while Sinclair agreed to stop preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC affiliates effective immediately.
Nexstar, which has continued to block the show on its 32 affiliates, is expected to follow.
Industry analysts noted that station owners like Sinclair and Nexstar had limited leverage in the long run.
ABC has the option of canceling and replacing affiliates, which could have significant financial consequences, especially heading into the 2027 Super Bowl.
Despite the initial attention surrounding Kimmel’s reinstatement, ratings show that momentum quickly faded.
Jimmy Kimmel wasn’t funny, his ratings were in the toilet, and his advertisers were revolting.
Also the bellyaching from the left over “free speech” after the Biden years fools precisely no one.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 19, 2025 [4]
While Tuesday’s episode drew a record 6.3 million viewers, Wednesday’s average fell to 2.4 million, a sharp decline of nearly 70 percent.
The Wednesday broadcast still placed Kimmel above his usual average of 1.7 million, but the sudden drop has raised questions about whether he can sustain audience interest.
Wednesday’s late-night ratings illustrate the shift in viewership:
– Gutfeld! (Fox News): 3,233,000
– Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC): 2,414,000
– The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS): 1,988,000
– The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC): 1,244,000
The numbers confirm that Fox News’ Gutfeld! continues to lead late-night television, surpassing all competitors.
Bobby Burack of OutKick, who authored the report on the downturn, shared the results on social media.
“Jimmy Kimmel lost 70% of its viewers from Tuesday to Wednesday. From 6.4 million to 2.4 million. I expect Kimmel to be back below 2 million by Monday,” Burack wrote on X.
Jimmy Kimmel lost 70% of its viewers from Tuesday to Wednesday.
From 6.4 million to 2.4 million. I expect Kimmel to be back below 2 million by Monday.
— Bobby Burack (@burackbobby_) September 26, 2025 [5]
The quick decline follows a wave of media attention earlier this week that celebrated Kimmel’s return.
Analysts suggested that many viewers tuned in initially to see whether Kimmel would issue an apology during his first episode back.
By Wednesday, however, the audience had thinned significantly, leaving his ratings closer to his pre-suspension baseline.
CNN media analyst Brian Stelter highlighted Kimmel’s YouTube numbers Thursday morning instead of his television audience, a move interpreted as an attempt to shift focus from the sharp ratings drop.
The long-term future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains uncertain.
Although ABC moved quickly to reinstate him and prevent affiliate preemptions, industry observers point out that the host’s ratings trajectory will play a key role in determining his staying power on the network.
For now, the data shows that Kimmel’s return brought a short-term spike followed by a rapid decline, placing him once again behind Greg Gutfeld, whose show continues to lead late-night programming in overall viewership.