Jimmy Kimmel’s ratings are thriving despite blackouts from two of the largest owners of local TV stations and ABC affiliates nationwide.
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Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to its late-night slot with a record-smashing 6.3 million viewers on Tuesday night, making it the most-watched regular episode in the show’s 22-year history, according to Variety.
Tuesday night’s broadcast also saw a 343% increase from the previous season’s average of 1.4 million viewers, according to Variety and Nielsen’s preliminary data.
Why Jimmy Kimmel’s Ratings Could Have Been Even Higher
However, Kimmel’s impressive 6.3 million ratings could have been even higher if Nextar and Sinclair — two major operators of local TV stations and ABC affiliates nationwide — hadn’t blacked out Jimmy Kimmel Live! from 23% of US households.
ABC temporarily pulled the late-night show off the air last Wednesday after Kimmel made controversial comments about Charlie Kirk, sparking outrage among conservatives.
Kirk, a conservative activist, was fatally shot on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10. He was 31 years old.
Tyler Robinson, the suspected killer, was later arrested and charged with Kirk’s murder.
On Sept. 15, during his opening monologue, Kimmel stated that the “MAGA gang” was “trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them” to “score political points from” the tragic killing.
However, after Disney suspended Kimmel “indefinitely” amid pressure from Nexstar, Sinclair, and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, the late-night host reportedly negotiated his return.
“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” Disney explained in a statement earlier this week.
“It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive,” the company continued. “We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”
Jimmy Kimmel Clarified His Controversial Claims in His Opening Monologue
Returning to his late-night show, Kimmel clarified the controversial claims that led to his week-long suspension. However, he did not apologize.
“You understand that it was never my intention to make light of a murder of a young man,” Kimmel said at the start of his monologue, which has over 19 million views on YouTube. “I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.”
“I understand that to some, that felt either ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both, and for those who think I did point a finger, I get why you’re upset,” the comedian added.
Kimmel then distanced himself from his initial claim that Kirk’s suspected killer was part of the “MAGA gang.”
“I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone,” he said. “This is a sick person who believes violence is a solution, and it isn’t.”
However, Nextstar was not satisfied with Kimmel’s statement and announced it would continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC stations indefinitely, according to the New York Post.