Jimmy Kimmel made a triumphant return to late night on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, as Jimmy Kimmel Live drew an impressive 6.26 million total viewers on broadcast, according to Nielsen’s preliminary Live+Same Day ratings. The suspension was brief amid political controversy over his opening monologue on a past show.
Despite being preempted in 23% of U.S. TV households, the show delivered its highest-rated regularly scheduled episode among Adults 18–49 in more than a decade. The broadcast earned a 0.87 rating in the key demo, marking the strongest performance since March 12, 2015.
The excitement extended beyond traditional television. Kimmel’s opening monologue quickly went viral, racking up over 26 million views across YouTube and social platforms within its first day — a testament to the host’s ability to connect with audiences both on-screen and online.
While the current numbers reflect only linear broadcast ratings, streaming data is yet to be factored in, which could push totals even higher.
Jimmy Kimmel Live airs weeknights on ABC. Fans can catch clips on the official YouTube channel and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for behind-the-scenes content.
