According to Nielsen’s Live + Same Day data for the week of March 9, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” has held the No. 1 spot in the late night slot among adults ages 18 to 49 for the third consecutive week, continuing strong growth in key demographics.
The ABC late-night staple posted a 0.16 rating in adults 18-49, marking its third consecutive win and sixth win in the demo in the past seven weeks. This performance marks a new momentum for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” After a tumultuous period last year when the show was temporarily taken off the air.
In September 2025, ABC canceled the show after host Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue comments about President Donald Trump and his response to the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk sparked a backlash from conservative groups and politicians. The move came amid pressure from regulators and some broadcaster groups, with some affiliates refusing to air the show even after it resumed.
Since its return, the show has once again gained traction on both terrestrial television and digital platforms. The March 5 episode, starring “Scrubs” stars Zach Braff and Donald Faison along with comedian Chris Fleming, earned a 0.21 rating in the demo and ranked as the top broadcast on TV for the third straight week.
Digital performance also continues to be strong. In 2026, the show’s YouTube channel had more than 281 million views, and its nightly monologue averaged more than 4.4 million views.
The show posted double-digit increases year-over-year, with total viewers up 22% to 1.91 million and a 45% increase in adults 18-49. Season-to-date, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” is also up on both metrics, with a 20% increase in total viewers to 1.99 million and a 20% increase in the demo compared to the same period last season.
