FILE PHOTO: Jimmy Kimmel arrives at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, U.S., September 12, 2022. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci/File Photo

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s return to "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" drew 6.2 million viewers on Tuesday night, nearly four times the show’s usual audience, according to preliminary Nielsen figures.

The episode was Kimmel’s first since ABC and its parent company, Disney, suspended the program last week following backlash over remarks he made about the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension sparked a national debate over free speech.

The New York Times noted in a report that more than 20 percent of ABC affiliates did not air the episode. Nexstar and Sinclair, two major station groups, said they would continue to pre-empt the show, though Nexstar said Wednesday it was in talks with Disney.

Online interest was also strong: his monologue drew more than 17 million views on YouTube within a day.

The 6.2 million viewership figure is notable for late-night television in 2025. During the 2024–25 season, Jimmy Kimmel Live! averaged 1.6 million viewers, Nielsen reported.

President Donald Trump, who had celebrated Kimmel’s removal, criticized ABC’s decision to reinstate him. “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” Trump wrote on social media, suggesting he might sue the network.

During the broadcast, Kimmel played a clip of Trump mocking his suspension. Afterward, he told viewers: “Well, I do tonight.”

The report generated strong reactions on social media.

Democratic strategist Maria Cardona wrote: "Go Jimmy!!! Imagine if Nexstar and Sinclair had aired it! Ratings would be even higher! I guess Brendan Carr and Donald Trump‘s attack on free speech backfired! I guess America loves her 1st Amendment rights!"

Writer Jimmy Traina said: "6.2 million viewers for Jimmy Kimmel’s return last night is an insane number. Basically drew same viewership as the top college football games last week Florida-Miami: 6.5 million Auburn-Oklahoma: 6.1 million Michigan-Nebraska: 5.3 million."

Writer Pedro Gonzalez said: "The Streisand effect on steroids."

Some conservative commentators said the episode was "hate-watched" by those who supported the cancellation.

Daily Wire editor-in-chief Brian Scher wrote: "Yeah but at least half, maybe more, were hate viewers like me. And I was a one-time viewer, because I now hate him more than ever."

GOP strategist CJ Pearson wrote: "President Trump is truly a man that can do impossible. Even he somehow managed to make Jimmy Kimmel HOT again! We’ll see how long this lasts."