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Fact check: What factors contribute to the fluctuation in Jimmy Kimmel's ratings over the years?

Checked on September 18, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that Jimmy Kimmel's show ratings have fluctuated over the years, with some sources reporting a decline in viewership [1] [2]. For example, one source states that the show's ratings dropped 11% to 1.104 million viewers [1], while another source reports that the show had approximately 1.1 million viewers per episode during the late-summer/early-fall 2025 window [1]. However, other sources note that the show has shown strength in the key 18-49 demographic [1] and has a significant following on YouTube, with almost 21 million subscribers [3]. The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show has been attributed to various factors, including his comments about Charlie Kirk [4] [5] [6] and potential pressure from the Trump administration and FCC Chair Brendan Carr [4] [5] [6]. The exact reasons for the fluctuation in ratings and the suspension of the show are still unclear, with different sources providing different perspectives on the issue [1] [3] [7] [2] [4] [5] [6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some key points that are missing from the original statement include:

  • The context of Jimmy Kimmel's comments about Charlie Kirk, which may have contributed to the suspension of his show [4] [5] [6].
  • The role of the Trump administration and FCC Chair Brendan Carr in the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show, which may have been a factor in the decision [4] [5] [6].
  • The impact of measurement type, audience focus, and time frames considered on the reported numbers for Jimmy Kimmel's show, which can lead to different conclusions about the show's performance [7].
  • The potential implications for free speech of the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show, which has been raised by some sources [4] [5] [6].

Alternative viewpoints on the issue include:

  • Donald Trump's claim that Jimmy Kimmel's show was pulled off the air due to "bad ratings" [3].
  • The perspective of FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who may have played a role in the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show [4] [5] [6].
  • The views of Hollywood figures and other individuals who have reacted to the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show [5].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

There are several potential sources of misinformation or bias in the original statement, including:

  • Donald Trump's claim that Jimmy Kimmel's show was pulled off the air due to "bad ratings", which may be an oversimplification of the issue [3].
  • The lack of context about Jimmy Kimmel's comments about Charlie Kirk and the reaction of the Trump administration and FCC Chair Brendan Carr, which may have contributed to the suspension of his show [4] [5] [6].
  • The potential bias of certain sources, such as those with a political agenda or those that may have a vested interest in the outcome [1] [3] [7] [2] [4] [5] [6].

The following individuals or groups may benefit from the different perspectives on the issue:

  • Jimmy Kimmel and his supporters, who may benefit from a more nuanced understanding of the factors that contributed to the suspension of his show [1] [3] [7] [2].
  • The Trump administration and FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who may benefit from a narrative that emphasizes the role of Jimmy Kimmel's comments about Charlie Kirk in the suspension of his show [4] [5] [6].
  • Hollywood figures and other individuals who have reacted to the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show, who may benefit from a more detailed understanding of the implications for free speech [5].
Want to dive deeper?
How does Jimmy Kimmel's ratings compare to other late-night talk shows?
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How have changes in Jimmy Kimmel's content affected his ratings over time?
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How do Jimmy Kimmel's ratings vary across different demographics?