Jimmy Kimmel’s Ratings Struggle
The ratings for Jimmy Kimmel have taken a nosedive once again, following a brief hiatus last month. During this pause, he made headlines by criticizing Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Kimmel, for context, had previously been viewed unfavorably by many, particularly for his comments regarding Trump supporters.
In the second quarter of 2025, Kimmel averaged 1.772 million viewers. However, since his return, the latest Nielsen figures indicate he only managed to attract about 1.7 million viewers last Wednesday, which is actually a drop from his previous average.
For comparison, Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld outperformed Kimmel by a substantial margin, pulling in about 3.289 million viewers during the same quarter. Gutfeld’s viewership is noteworthy, especially as it surpasses Kimmel’s despite airing on cable rather than a major network like ABC.
Stephen Colbert also had a rough showing in the second quarter, averaging 2.417 million viewers. His ratings are still considered poor, leading to CBS canceling his show, Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show struggled as well, with an audience of only 1.88 million in the same period.
It seems Kimmel enjoyed some brief attention during his suspension, but that didn’t translate into lasting viewers. Although he attracted around 6 million people at one point, many likely weren’t interested in returning. It’s like they took a test drive but had no intention of buying what he was offering.
Now, the pressing question is whether Kimmel’s contract will be renewed by Disney, given the current viewer numbers. If they choose to extend his contract, it might be seen as a misguided move involving corporate interests that clash with audience preferences.
It raises further questions about profitability. Stephen Colbert, for instance, is reportedly losing around $50 million a year with 2.4 million viewers. What does Kimmel’s current standing look like in that regard, especially with 1.7 million?
This situation reflects a disconnect. There seems to be a disregard for many viewers, and it raises eyebrows—especially when there’s a willingness to bear financial losses for ideological reasons.
