Fact check: How does Jimmy Kimmel's show ratings compare to other late-night shows like The Tonight Show?

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided show that Jimmy Kimmel's show ratings are lower than The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, with 1.77 million viewers compared to Colbert's 2.42 million ^[1]. However, Kimmel's show leads in the 18-49 demographic with 220,000 viewers, surpassing Colbert's 219,000 ^[1]. In comparison to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Kimmel's show ratings are higher in terms of total viewers, but the show slipped 11% to 1.104 million viewers in September 2025, ranking third ^[2]. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon saw a 17% rise to 1.330 million viewers, surpassing Kimmel's show ^[2]. Kimmel's show has seen a decline in ratings over the past decade, with a 37% drop in total viewers and a 72% drop in the 25-54 demographic ^[3].

• Key points to note:
• Jimmy Kimmel's show ratings are lower than The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
• Kimmel's show leads in the 18-49 demographic
• The show slipped 11% to 1.104 million viewers in September 2025
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon saw a 17% rise to 1.330 million viewers
• Kimmel's show has seen a decline in ratings over the past decade

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement lacks context about the timeframe and demographic being considered when comparing Jimmy Kimmel's show ratings to other late-night shows ^[1]. Additionally, the statement does not account for the variations in ratings across different periods, such as the second quarter of 2025 ^[1] and September 2025 ^[2]. Alternative viewpoints suggest that Kimmel's show has shown strength in the key 18-49 demographic earlier in 2025, with 220,000 viewers, its best in a year ^[2]. Furthermore, the statement does not consider the impact of external factors, such as comments about Charlie Kirk's assassination, on the show's ratings ^[3].

• Missing context:
• Timeframe and demographic being considered
• Variations in ratings across different periods
• Impact of external factors on the show's ratings
• Alternative viewpoints:
• Kimmel's show has shown strength in the key 18-49 demographic
• The show's ratings have been affected by external factors

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading as it does not provide a comprehensive comparison of Jimmy Kimmel's show ratings to other late-night shows, considering multiple demographics and timeframes ^[1]. The statement may bias towards a particular viewpoint, such as emphasizing the decline in Kimmel's show ratings without considering the show's strength in the 18-49 demographic ^[3]. The sources cited, such as Hindustan Times and Fox News, may have their own biases and agendas, which could influence the presentation of the information ^{[2] [3]}. ABC and NBC may benefit from the statement, as it highlights the competitive nature of late-night TV shows and the challenges faced by Jimmy Kimmel's show ^{[1] [2]}.

• Potential misinformation:
• Incomplete comparison of Jimmy Kimmel's show ratings
• Bias towards a particular viewpoint
• Potential bias:
• Emphasizing the decline in Kimmel's show ratings
• Influenced by the biases and agendas of the sources cited
• Who benefits:
• ABC and NBC, as the statement highlights the competitive nature of late-night TV shows ^{[1] [2]}