Vacationing ABC host Jimmy Kimmel has playfully attributed a recent surge in viewership for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to CBS, suggesting the network's decision to cancel "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" has benefited his program. New Nielsen data indicates that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" averaged 3.15 million viewers per night in June, marking a historic high for the show.
"The ratings are very strong, which we are very grateful to CBS for their wisdom," Kimmel, 58, told Variety. "We were doing pretty well before that, but that really helped." Kimmel has been on summer hiatus since June 18 and is slated to return to air in September. "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has seen a 66 percent increase in total viewership and a 69 percent increase among adults aged 18-49 year-over-year, according to Nielsen data.
"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" aired its final episode in May, with showrunners citing declining ad revenue as the reason for its cancellation. However, Kimmel and Colbert, among others, have suggested the decision was politically motivated. Colbert had openly criticized Paramount, CBS's parent company, following a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump, which Colbert characterized as "a big fat bribe." He noted the settlement occurred shortly before a long-stalled merger between Paramount and Skydance was finalized. Colbert reportedly received news of his show's cancellation shortly after his criticism.
Paramount and CBS have consistently stated that the cancellation was driven by financial considerations. A July report from Puck, citing unnamed sources, claimed the show was losing $40 million annually. Kimmel, however, has pushed back against these figures, calling them "made-up numbers" in a previous interview with Vulture. He argued that late-night television viewership, when combining online and linear ratings, is higher than ever, rendering claims of the format's declining relevance "silly."
Kimmel, who has hosted "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for 23 years, previously stated that Colbert's cancellation felt like "looking at his own future," further fueling speculation about political motivations behind late-night show decisions. Kimmel's current contract is scheduled to expire in May 2027.