Jimmy Kimmel Is Back… Again!

By NOS.3 Editoral Team

TV drama nobody asked for but everyone followed, like a Netflix series, has hit pause: Nexstar and Sinclair ended their preemption of Jimmy Kimmel Live on their ABC affiliates. Translation: Last Friday, Kimmel was again in the whole country.

Jimmy Kimmel show airs Weeknights 11:35/10:30 c | Photo abc / Disney®

Here’s the kicker: even while blocked in 23% of the U.S., Kimmel’s comeback episode pulled 6.2 million viewers (the show’s biggest 18-49 demo rating in a decade). For context, Colbert typically tops late-night shows with 2.5 million viewers.

The so-called “Kimmel Gate” started after Kimmel’s comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killer triggered backlash from the FCC and spooked local affiliates. Disney (ABC’s parent) got stuck in the middle while Nexstar juggles a $6.2 billion merger that’s under FCC review.

Back on Tuesday, Kimmel addressed the controversy head-on, taking shots at the FCC and leaning into the chaos. And while the affiliates may have blinked first, the culture war showdown between politics, media, and late-night comedy isn’t going anywhere.

Turns out, late-night TV isn’t dead: it just needed a little scandal to prove it.