Jimmy Kimmel Live! records highest June ratings in 23 years
Originally published Jul 14, 2026
By Martin Holmes, TV Insider · TV Insider
AI-generated summary based on TV Insider · Aggregated by Filmarian · Human-reviewed and approved on Jul 14, 2026
Key points
- June viewership hit 3.15 million total and 505,000 in the 18‑49 demo.
- Ratings rose 24% overall and 112% in the key demographic from May.
- Colbert’s departure removed direct competition for Kimmel’s time slot.
In June, Jimmy Kimmel Live! averaged 3.15 million total viewers and 505,000 adults aged 18‑49, marking a 24% rise in overall audience and a 112% jump in the key demo compared with May. The surge represents the show's strongest monthly performance since its debut over two decades ago.
Analysts attribute the boost to two main factors: the absence of Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show after its final episode in May, and strong sports lead‑ins from ABC’s NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final broadcasts. Competing late‑night programs saw mixed results, with NBC’s Tonight Show gaining modest viewership while CBS’s new Comics Unleashed lagged behind former numbers.
Read the original story: TV Insider — by Martin Holmes, TV Insider