After a week-long hiatus, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” returned to television on Tuesday night, drawing 6.26 million total viewers despite preemptions in 23% of U.S. TV households. The show’s ratings marked a significant surge, surpassing its average viewership of 1.42 million during the 2024-2025 season.

The return followed Kimmel’s suspension by Disney-owned ABC after he made controversial remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination during a monologue. The host addressed the controversy on Tuesday, stating, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” and defended his comments as not intended to trivialize the tragedy.

The episode also garnered over 26 million views across YouTube and social platforms, with Disney highlighting its highest rating among adults aged 18 to 49 in over a decade. Kimmel joked about the backlash, saying, “Backfired bigly,” referencing efforts by critics to cancel the show.

Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair, two major ABC affiliate owners, preempted the episode, leaving nearly a quarter of U.S. markets without access. Nexstar stated it is still evaluating whether to resume airing the show, citing ongoing discussions with Disney to ensure content aligns with community interests. Sinclair also confirmed it would continue preemptions while assessing the program’s return.