“Jimmy Kimmel Live” has secured the No. 1 spot in late night among adults 18-49 for the third consecutive week, continuing a strong run in the key demographic, according to Nielsen live-plus-same-day data for the week of March 9.
The ABC late-night staple delivered a 0.16 rating in adults 18-49, marking its third straight weekly win and its sixth victory in the demo over the past seven weeks. The performance signals renewed momentum for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following a turbulent period last year when the show was temporarily pulled from the air.
In September 2025, ABC suspended the program after host Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue comments about President Donald Trump and reactions to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk sparked backlash from conservative groups and political figures. The move came amid pressure from regulators and some station groups, with several affiliates declining to air the show even after it returned.
Since returning, the show has regained traction both on linear television and digital platforms. A March 5 episode featuring “Scrubs” stars Zach Braff and Donald Faison, alongside comedian Chris Fleming, ranked as the top telecast across the three-week stretch with a 0.21 rating in the demo.
Digital performance has also remained strong. In 2026, the show’s YouTube channel has surpassed 281 million views, with nightly monologues averaging more than 4.4 million views.
Year over year, the show posted double-digit gains, rising 22% in total viewers to 1.91 million and 45% in adults 18-49. Season to date, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” is also up across both metrics, increasing 20% in total viewers to 1.99 million and 20% in the demo compared with the same period last season.
Leave a Reply