‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Ratings Show Huge, Dramatic Swing
'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' recorded its highest live+same-day ratings in eight years this week, topping late-night across all demographics. The show’s surge follows Stephen Colbert’s departure, with Kimmel pulling in viewers CBS lost after his exit. Meanwhile, CBS’ late-night ratings have dropped further, and Kimmel’s ratings now exceed Fallon’s stagnant numbers. The NBA Finals lead-ins also contributed to the spike.
What changed
New Nielsen data confirms Kimmel’s ratings hit a season high, with double-digit gains in total viewers and a 90% jump in Adults 18-49 since last year.
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'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' smashes ratings as Colbert’s exit reshapes CBS late-night
confidence 95%'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' recorded its highest live+same-day ratings in eight years this week, topping late-night across all demographics. The show’s surge follows Stephen Colbert’s departure, with Kimmel pulling in viewers CBS lost after his exit. Meanwhile, CBS’ late-night ratings have dropped further, and Kimmel’s ratings now exceed Fallon’s stagnant numbers. The NBA Finals lead-ins also contributed to the spike.
What's confirmed:
- 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' ranked No. 1 in late-night for the second straight week, with 2.722 million total viewers and a 0.40 rating in Adults 18-49.
- Weekly ratings rose 10% in total viewers and 90% in Adults 18-49 compared to last year, marking the show’s best season in eight years.
- Kimmel’s Wednesday and Friday episodes drew 3.453 million and 2.990 million viewers respectively, the highest since September 2025.
- The NBA Finals lead-ins and Colbert’s absence contributed to Kimmel’s ratings surge, with CBS’ late-night ratings declining further as a result.
- Fallon’s ratings have stagnated while Kimmel’s have grown significantly since Colbert left the air.
Still unconfirmed:
- Byron Allen, Colbert’s replacement, is facing backlash over ratings performance, though no specific numbers or official statements have been confirmed.
- A partial boycott may have contributed to Kimmel’s record ratings, though details remain unverified.