Jimmy Kimmel's Television Ratings Throughout the Years: Number One in Viewership Among Young Adults
In the world of late-night television, ratings have been on a steady decline for popular franchises like NCIS and Law & Order, with drops being more pronounced from a decade ago and even more so from the 2000s. This trend is not exclusive to these shows, as jimmy kimmel's late-night show, "jimmy kimmel live!", has also seen a decline in viewership, similar to virtually everything on television.
However, the suspension of jimmy kimmel's show earlier this week was not directly related to his ratings but rather complications involving Trump, Nextstar, and Disney. ABC's decision to suspend the show was due to financial impact and backlash from affiliates, including Nextstar, which is seeking regulatory approval for a $6.2 billion purchase of Tegna.
Despite the suspension, jimmy kimmel's show has managed to make a notable comeback in the second quarter (three months ended June 30), averaging 220,000 adults 18-49, marking his strongest performance with the demo in a year. This rise in ratings is significant in 2025, as changes in viewing patterns have cratered ratings for virtually every show on television.
On YouTube, where jimmy kimmel's channel has more than 20 million subscribers, his three most recent videos have all garnered more than 3 million views, indicating a strong online following.
The controversy surrounding jimmy kimmel's show is historically linked to comedians being silenced for speaking truth to power. This trend can be traced back to Ancient Greece, where stage comedians often commented on current politics, with the people they were critiquing sitting right in front of them. Examples of comedians being silenced for criticizing leaders can be found in the works of poets such as Sotades, Theocritus of Chios, and the Roman statesman Cicero.
Interestingly, the concepts of free speech and comedy were both born in classical Athens in the 5th century BCE and were considered two sides of the same coin. However, things were different in Ancient Rome, where the first emperor allegedly exiled poet Ovid based on his racy humor.
More recently, the professor at Cornell University, Mike Fontaine, a professor of classics, notes that canceling comedians is a defining feature of authoritarianism. This is further supported by the case of Voltaire, who was similarly silenced for his satirical writings, leading to support for the French Revolution.
The legality of President Donald Trump's suggestion that the Federal Communications Commission could revoke TV broadcasters' licenses for "bad publicity" is questionable. The silencing of comedians can backfire, as seen in the case of Voltaire, where the suppression of free speech often leads to a greater outcry for freedom.
Despite the controversy, jimmy kimmel's show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which was recently cancelled by CBS, averaged 219,000 adults 18-49, making jimmy kimmel slightly ahead. NBC's The Tonight Show Starring jimmy fallon averaged 157,000 adults 18-49, placing it well behind jimmy kimmel and Colbert.
In conclusion, the suspension of jimmy kimmel's show serves as a reminder of the importance of free speech and the role of comedians in critiquing power. The controversy surrounding his show is a modern twist on ancient censorship, highlighting the ongoing struggle between freedom of speech and the power of authorities.
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