Kimmel's Ratings Plunge: How a Political Firestorm Wiped Out Viewers
JIMMY KIMMEL'S RATING NIGHTMARE: THE COMEDIAN WHO CAN'T SEEM TO GET IT RIGHT!
In a shocking turn of events, Jimmy Kimmel's highly anticipated return to late-night television has turned into a ratings disaster, leaving industry insiders scratching their heads. The liberal comedian, who had been suspended for his inflammatory remarks about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, thought he'd bounced back with a bang – but it seems he was sadly mistaken.
According to the latest numbers from Nielsen Media Research (as reported by The Scholarly Note), Kimmel's viewership plummeted by a staggering 71% in just one week! That's right, folks; Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s ratings dropped from an impressive 6.5 million viewers on September 23 to a meager 1.9 million on October 2. Ouch!
But that's not all – the damage doesn't stop there. In the coveted 25-54 demographic, Kimmel's show drew a dismal 265,000 viewers, representing an eye-watering 85% nosedive from just days earlier. This marks his lowest demo audience since the suspension and is a clear indication that his antics have alienated a significant chunk of his audience.
The controversy began when Kimmel falsely accused Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Kirk's assassination, of being affiliated with the "MAGA gang." However, further investigation revealed that Robinson held left-wing beliefs, leading critics to accuse Kimmel of politicizing a tragedy and spreading disinformation. The fallout was severe, with major broadcasters Sinclair and Nexstar pulling his show from dozens of local affiliates.
The suspension sparked outrage, with protesters gathering outside ABC's studios in Burbank chanting "ABC bent the knee! No to the FCC!" Disney eventually relented by bringing Kimmel back on board with a heavily promoted return episode. However, it seems that this attempt at damage control has only made things worse.
Kimmel's refusal to apologize for his remarks was seen as a major misstep, and industry insiders are now questioning how long ABC will stand by him. "Jimmy 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 in a scathing statement.
Meanwhile, Kimmel's conservative rival Greg Gutfeld on Fox News is reaping the benefits of his competitor's misfortunes. Gutfeld!'s ratings have been steadily rising, with 2.8 million viewers tuning in last Thursday – a 49% lead over Jimmy Kimmel Live! and a whopping 40% advantage in the 25-54 demographic.
Kimmel's downward spiral is all the more remarkable given his boast just days earlier that his show was now broadcasting to "100 percent of the country" after Sinclair and Nexstar resumed airing his program. However, it seems that this claim may have been greatly exaggerated.
The numbers don't lie – Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s ratings have been in decline for years, with an average of 1.6 million viewers throughout 2025, compared to the 2.4 million it drew a decade ago. Last Thursday's broadcast was the worst yet, and it's clear that Kimmel has some serious damage control to do if he wants to salvage his career.
Will ABC finally take action and distance themselves from Kimmel's toxic brand of comedy? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Jimmy Kimmel's ratings nightmare shows no signs of letting up anytime soon!