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1h ago

Kimmel Back on All ABC Stations as Ratings Settle and Investor Pressure Mounts

The late-night host's reinstatement follows affiliate preemptions triggered by public warnings from FCC Chair Brendan Carr.

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Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr speaks during the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2025 Global Aerospace Summit in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 9, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon/File Photo
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Overview

  • After ABC restored Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Sept. 23, Nielsen showed 6.26 million viewers that night, falling to about 2.3 million by Thursday, still above its recent average.
  • Nexstar and Sinclair lifted their preemptions by Sept. 26, returning the show to ABC affiliates that had blocked it and previously reached roughly 20–25% of U.S. TV households.
  • Journalist Marisa Kabas reported, citing a Disney source, more than 1.7 million paid cancellations across Disney+, Hulu and ESPN from Sept. 17–23, a figure not confirmed by Disney.
  • Investor representatives asked CEO Bob Iger for board materials about the suspension decision, signaling possible legal action after stock declines and regulatory concerns.
  • Kimmel teamed up with Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers during Brooklyn tapings for a pointed Trump dig and described the suspension as an “emotional roller coaster” in a Colbert interview.