‘We have to speak out:’ Jimmy Kimmel’s return scores historic ratings

The return of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to ABC on Tuesday night nearly quadrupled the show’s usual ratings, according to multiple media reports, despite airing in only about 80% of its regular programming markets.

Preliminary Nielsen figures show the episode averaged 6.26 million viewers, The Hollywood Reporter said. That’s the largest tune-in for a regular episode in the show’s 22-year history — aside from a couple of specials.

That total is also nearly four times Kimmel’s usual audience, The New York Times noted, even as about 66 ABC affiliates owned by Nexstar and Sinclair blacked out the show, representing more than 20% of U.S. TV homes.

The broadcast also drew a 0.87 rating among adults 18–49, or about 1.18 million viewers in that demographic, according to THR. It was the best performan