Here's Another Big Thing That May Have Factored Into the Kimmel Suspension

Jimmy Kimmel has said disgraceful things over the years on his show. But he finally appears to have stepped into it big time with his comments about the accused killer of Charlie Kirk, implying he is MAGA.

ABC affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair found that offensive. ABC decided to suspend his show. Sinclair is demanding that Kimmel apologize before they consider lifting any suspension. They want ABC to take more action on professionalism and accountability.

ABC Preempting 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Indefinitely After Vile Comments About Charlie Kirk’s Murder

But there's another problem that may have factored into the network's calculus: the program's plummeting ratings. Ultimately, it's always about the money.

Nielsen data showed sharp summer declines and a year-long slide that leaves him trailing late-night rivals such as Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld and CBS star Stephen Colbert.
According to monthly Nielsen figures, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” dropped to just 1.1 million total viewers in August 2025, down 43% from January’s 1.95 million. His August household rating of 0.35 marked the weakest showing of the year.
The advertiser-coveted 18–49 demo also cratered. Kimmel averaged only 129,000 viewers in that bracket in August, off from 212,000 in January and less than half his June peak of 284,000.

Yikes, that 18-49 demo is especially poor. His deal with ABC runs through May 2026. So if he's not completely done already, and I think he might be, why would they keep him beyond that time? It's the same problem that Stephen Colbert had. If your ratings suck or you're losing money for your bosses, why should they keep you?

Jimmy Kimmel Melts Down Over Colbert Cancellation, and ABC Has the Chance to Do the Funniest Thing Ever

Brit Hume and Byron York also commented on how bad the ratings have been over the past 15 years for Kimmel's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show, as well as "The Late Show" (Colbert), and "The Tonight Show" (Jimmy Fallon). "Down, down, down," York said. "And now, out," Hume replied.

And now, out. https://t.co/j31RUEGjWb
— Brit Hume (@brithume) September 18, 2025

Gee, what could have happened over the past 15 years that has turned off the public? Hmm...

Meanwhile, Greg Gutfeld, who is actually funny, has higher ratings on Fox. "Gutfeld!" has "remained cable’s late night ratings juggernaut in 2024, averaging 2.76 million viewers." He's actually performing the job he's hired to do - be funny.

This should be instructive. Maybe turning political and not being funny - the only job you're supposed to have - might just have something to do with their problems in the ratings. Maybe constantly demonizing President Donald Trump and his supporters isn't a great idea in the eyes of the public and doesn't go over well. And maybe, just maybe, people have finally had enough. Bad messaging and bad ratings are a losing combination for keeping a show around.

The American people have been delivering a message with their feet for a while now, and it might finally be enough for the companies.

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