Jimmy Kimmel Live! has returned to ABC — and audiences showed up in a big way.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, the network ended the show’s “indefinite hiatus,” and Jimmy Kimmel, 57, was back at his desk. Viewers tuned in heavily for his first monologue, in which he called out Donald Trump and the FCC over what he described as threatening remarks.
According to preliminary Nielsen data, the broadcast drew 6.26 million viewers — more than triple the show’s usual average. That figure doesn’t yet include on-demand numbers, and many local ABC affiliates didn’t even air the program.
Online, the response was even bigger. A video of the monologue posted to YouTube racked up 15.9 million views in under 24 hours, with more than 26 million views across YouTube and other platforms.
The comeback came just over a week after controversy surrounding Kimmel’s Oct. 15 monologue about the shooting death of right-wing personality Charlie Kirk. After remarks from FCC chairman Brendan Carr, Disney’s ABC temporarily pulled the program from the air.
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On Sept. 22, Disney announced Kimmel would return the following day. But not all stations complied. Both Nexstar Media and Sinclair — the country’s largest group of ABC affiliates — preempted the broadcast.
Carr had previously warned that the FCC might take action against Disney and ABC for Kimmel’s comments. During his earlier monologue, Kimmel criticized attempts to politicize Kirk’s killing, while also showing clips of President Donald Trump addressing the tragedy before quickly pivoting to a new White House ballroom project. Kimmel quipped, “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
Outside the show, Kimmel expressed condolences on social media: “Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human? On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.”
Nexstar and Sinclair later issued statements condemning Kimmel’s remarks. Nexstar also revealed plans to acquire Tegna for more than $6 billion, a deal that would expand its reach into 80% of U.S. TV households. Federal law currently caps ownership at 39%, so the merger still requires FCC approval under Carr’s leadership.
Carr applauded Nexstar for “doing the right thing” and thanked Sinclair for its swift action. President Trump also weighed in, celebrating Kimmel’s removal and saying the host was “fired for lack of talent.”
Ahead of Kimmel’s return, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) published an open letter defending free speech, signed by more than 400 entertainment figures including Tom Hanks and Jennifer Aniston.
