Kimmel Draws 2.4 Million for Midterms

ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" pulled in 2.4 million viewers for its Tuesday night midterm election broadcast. The figure sets a new record for the show's coverage of a midterm cycle. Nielsen data confirms the surge in both total audience size and the rating among adults ages 18 to 49.

The jump represents a 53% increase over the November 8, 2022, telecast. That previous airing drew 1.6 million people. In the key demographic, the latest episode earned a 0.32 rating. This marks a 68% climb from the 0.19 rating recorded in 2022.

The performance gives the show its largest midterm audience ever. It also adds to a season where overall viewership has risen compared to the same period last year. The episode delivered the show's highest rating among adults 18 to 49 in over a year, excluding nights with major sports lead-ins.

The last time the program hit a similar high was September 23, 2025. That was the date Kimmel returned to television after a suspension linked to his comments on the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

During the week of the election, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" outperformed its late-night competitors. It averaged 2.5 million viewers and a 0.23 rating in the target demographic. This placed it first in both categories for the full week.

The show has held the top spot in both metrics for each of the broadcast season's first seven weeks. For the season to date, it averages 2.5 million viewers. That is a 16% increase from the 2.1 million average at this point last year.

This marks the fifth consecutive season with a year-over-year viewership increase by the seventh week. The current pace positions Season 25 to become Kimmel's most-watched season in 12 years, dating back to 2014-2015.