Jimmy Kimmel’s Comeback Draws 6.26 Million Viewers and Breaks YouTube Records

Jimmy Kimmel celebrates a triumphal comeback because there were record quotas and also a YouTube record. Despite the blockade by numerous local channels, his show reached 6.26 million viewers, and streaming was called up 19 million times.

Records for Kimmels emotional return

Jimmy Kimmel ensured a bang effect with his return to late night television. His first broadcast after the controversial suspension achieved 6.26 million viewers on linear television on Tuesday evening – even though the show was not broadcast in about 23 percent of American TV households. This number of spectators is well above the usual average of the program, which was only 1.6 million viewers in the 2024/2025 season.

The moderator used his return for an almost 30-minute monologue, in which he emotionally expressed his suspension. “It was never my intention to ridicule the murder of a young man,” said Kimmel in relation to his earlier comments about the reactions to the murder of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk. “I don’t think there is anything fun.” This was followed by an emotional and of course ironic, humorous appeal to defend freestyle expression.
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How Cnn reports, in addition to the TV viewers, Kimmel’s monologue achieved more than 26 million views (19 million on YouTube) on social media platforms. In the advertising-relevant target group of the 18- to 49-year-olds, the show has achieved the highest ratings for more than a decade.

Despite the success, the controversy is not over. The large broadcaster Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair, who have around 70 ABC partner stations together, continue to refuse to radiate Kimmel’s show. According to the statements by FCC chairman Brendan Carr, who had indicated that ABC and his partner stations could threaten to withdraw comments on the withdrawal of the broadcasting licenses. Nexstar also needs the goodwill of the Trump government in the event of a takeover.

Nexstar announced on Wednesday that the company “the status of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ continues to be evaluated “and in” productive conversations “with Disney managers. Sinclair explained that “talks are running with ABC while we evaluate the possible return of the show”.

Debate about freedom of expression

The suspension of the moderator had triggered a nationwide debate about freedom of expression. Numerous celebrities, unions and political figures stood behind Kimmel, while others, including President Donald Trump, welcomed the decision of ABC. Trump had even demanded that NBC should also stop his late night shows with Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.