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The ratings for Jimmy Kimmel Live! <\/a>dropped significantly following the huge viewership bump for the show\u2019s return to the air last week. <\/a><\/p>\n The late night talk show was allowed back onto screens last Tuesday after parent company Disney said it had \u201cthoughtful conversations\u201d with Kimmel over his \u201cill-timed\u201d comments <\/a>about the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kimmel\u2019s Tuesday night return was watched by 6.3 million viewers \u2014 more than tripling its normal TV viewership.<\/p>\n But Fox News<\/a> reports that by Thursday the show had dropped back down to an average of 2.3 million viewers, a fall of 64 percent. <\/p>\n Before being briefly taken off the air, Kimmel\u2019s show was averaging about 1.77 million viewers during the second quarter of this year.<\/p>\n After initially refusing to air Kimmel\u2019s return, cable operators Nexstar and Sinclair announced Friday they were ending their boycott of Kimmel\u2019s show.<\/a><\/p>\n An estimated 23 percent of households in the U.S. were unable to watch Kimmel\u2019s show on ABC stations operated by the two companies.<\/p>\n Kimmel\u2019s show was suspended by ABC after he sparked outrage by accusing MAGA Republicans of using Kirk\u2019s killing to score political points. Kirk was fatally shot September 10 at Utah Valley University<\/a>, and police have since charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson<\/a> in connection with the murder.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had some new lows over the weekend, with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it,\u201d Kimmel said September 15.<\/p>\n Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day<\/p>\n New subscribers only. \u00a39.99\/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.<\/p>\n Try for free<\/a><\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.<\/p>\n Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day<\/p>\n New subscribers only. \u00a39.99\/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.<\/p>\n Try for free<\/a><\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.<\/p>\n FCC Chair Brendan Carr called Kimmel\u2019s comments \u201ctruly sick\u201d and suggested ABC\u2019s license could be at risk over it. Shortly afterward, ABC moved to suspend Kimmel\u2019s show. While ABC reversed its decision on Monday, Nexstar and Sinclair have since said their networks will not air the talk show.<\/p>\n Before Kimmel returned, big names in Hollywood and politics \u2014 like former President Barack Obama<\/a> \u2014 quickly condemned his show\u2019s suspension and raised questions about free speech. More than 400 celebrities signed an open letter against his suspension over the weekend,<\/a> while protests erupted outside of Kimmel\u2019s Hollywood studio last week.<\/a><\/p>\n President Donald Trump also weighed in. He initially celebrated ABC\u2019s decision to preempt Kimmel\u2019s show last week, but went on to criticize the network when they announced it would resume airing.\u201cI can\u2019t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,\u201d Trump wrote on Truth Social<\/a>. \u201cThe White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his \u2018talent\u2019 was never there.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Jimmy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI267380925.jpg\")
Jimmy Kimmel\u2019s viewing figures fell by 64% following an initial spike (Disney)<\/p>\n![\"Apple](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Apple_TV_Plus.png\")
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