‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Ratings Plunge Over Decade, Suspension Likely Not About Censorship Reports Claim

Sinclair Broadcast Group, the largest group of ABC affiliates in the U.S., has announced it will stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! following the late-night host’s comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Sinclair shared that it spoke with ABC and agreed to preempt Kimmel’s show indefinitely, and ABC has since paused production of the program.

“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” said Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith. “We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities.”

He also noted the importance of FCC oversight, saying, “This incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.”

In place of the late-night program, Sinclair’s ABC stations plan to air a special in memory of Charlie Kirk this Friday.

The special will also be broadcast across Sinclair stations during the weekend and offered to other ABC affiliates nationwide.

While some have suggested the suspension is politically motivated and related to censorship, President Donald Trump argued the decision may have more to do with falling ratings.

Data shows Jimmy Kimmel Live! has steadily lost viewers over the last decade. In 2015, the show averaged 2.4 million viewers, dropping to 1.6 million in 2025—a 37% decline. The loss is even sharper among adults aged 25-54, a key demographic for advertisers. In 2015, nearly 1 million viewers in this group tuned in, but by 2025, that number fell to just 261,000, a 72% drop.

The decline comes amid a broader shift in media consumption, including the rise of streaming and cord-cutting. However, not all late-night programs are losing viewers at this rate. In fact, Kimmel’s show now trails Fox News Channel’s Gutfeld! by a significant margin.

While Kimmel’s comments sparked controversy, the long-term decline in viewership suggests the suspension may be more about ratings than censorship. It’s a reminder of how much the late-night landscape has changed over the past decade. What do you think about the situation? Share your thoughts in the comments.