Jimmy Kimmel Live! Dominates Ratings: Viewership & Gains Revealed
Is late-night television still a game of inches, or are we witnessing a seismic shift in viewership patterns? The data suggests that while some familiar faces remain at the forefront, the landscape is evolving, with unexpected winners and those struggling to maintain their footing in an increasingly fragmented media environment.
The week of April 7th, 2025, offered a compelling snapshot of this evolving reality. Fresh off a week-long vacation, Jimmy Kimmel returned to his ABC perch and promptly scored the biggest ratings gains among his late-night peers. This marked a notable upswing for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", which saw a significant increase in viewership, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the show. However, the same week presented a contrasting narrative for Seth Meyers, whose show, "Late Night with Seth Meyers," experienced a dip in ratings, marked with an asterisk, indicating perhaps an unusual circumstance influencing the numbers. This dichotomy underscores the volatile nature of the late-night landscape, where fortunes can shift dramatically from one week to the next.
The week's numbers painted a vivid picture of the competitive arena. "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" emerged as a strong contender, with an average of 1.647 million total viewers tuning in each night. This figure highlights the show's consistent ability to draw a sizable audience. The show also benefited from the "Monday Night Football" ratings halo effect, reflecting the power of lead-in programming to boost viewership. It is crucial to note that, in the week of April 13, 2025, the show was watched by 1,647,000 people (0.52% rating, up +45% from last week) per episode, according to the average weekly audience measurement.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Christian Kimmel |
| Date of Birth | November 13, 1967 (age 56) |
| Place of Birth | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Television host, comedian, writer, producer |
| Years Active | 1990present |
| Notable Work | Host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" |
| Network | ABC |
| Education | University of Nevada, Las Vegas (attended) |
| Spouse | Gina M. Kimmel (m. 1988; div. 2002), Molly McNearney (m. 2013) |
| Children | 4 |
| Associated Acts | Adam Carolla, Daniel Tosh, Sarah Silverman |
| Known For | Humor, Celebrity Interviews, Prank Segments |
| Online Presence | Official Website |
Meanwhile, the week of February 16, 2025, presented a different scenario altogether. Both Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon were on vacation, which left Stephen Colbert, host of "The Late Show," with the 11:35 PM hour all to himself. Colbert capitalized on this unique opportunity, drawing in a nightly average of 2.396 million total viewers, surpassing even the repeated airings of both "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" This clearly indicates the potential of a show to thrive when it has the stage to itself, particularly in a coveted time slot.
Ratings for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" have consistently demonstrated its ability to pull in viewers. During the week of June 3, the show averaged a 0.21 rating among key adults, showcasing its appeal to a targeted demographic. Furthermore, the show often features a roster of high-profile guests, which is another key factor in attracting a large audience. Notable guests have included a range of personalities, from Halle Berry and Mike Tyson to Lady Gaga and Jennifer Aniston, adding a layer of star power that helps to keep the program fresh and exciting. The show also reached no. 1 during the week of September 13, and during the week of November 13, 2023, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" marked seven straight weeks as number one.
Analyzing specific weeks further illuminates the trends. The week of October 8 offered a look at how the competition shapes up. While "The Late Show" on CBS aired repeats for a significant portion of the week, it still managed to secure second place at 11:35 PM. This was possible due to the broadcast of at least one new episode, which helped to retain viewers. The week beginning May 27 saw "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" wrapping up with another dominant ratings win, solidifying its position in the late-night landscape. The show also outpaced "Late Night with Stephen Colbert," which earned a 0.18 rating during the same week, as well as "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."
Looking back to September 26, 2022, when the show broadcasted from Brooklyn, New York, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" continued to demonstrate its strong performance. In early 2025, the show was also the #30 most popular TV show on ABC.
The program has been a staple on ABC since January 26, 2003, and the consistent success of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" underscores its enduring appeal. The show has also benefited from a strong digital presence. The current engagement score for the show is a reflection of its popularity, taking into account online audience activity across multiple platforms, including search, website traffic, and social media engagement.
The success of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" also has a knock-on effect for ABC. The program acts as a strong lead-in for other shows, helping to boost overall network ratings. The show's ability to attract a broad audience and its ability to generate buzz within the entertainment industry make it a valuable asset for the network. The show's success reflects the broader shifts and fluctuations in the late-night television landscape, where long-term success depends on a variety of factors. The combination of a skilled host, compelling guests, timely content, and effective marketing can result in lasting success.
During the week of April 7th, 2025, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" made the most of its audience share, and took advantage of a lack of competition from similar shows, especially in a world where viewers have so many viewing options. The show's ability to attract a broad audience and its ability to generate buzz within the entertainment industry make it a valuable asset for the network, particularly when it has new episodes to broadcast. The audience measurements clearly point to a program that knows how to maintain its position among the titans of late-night television.
