Jimmy Kimmel’s YouTube numbers may have spiked because nearly one-third of ABC stations, those owned by Nexstar and Sinclair, refused to air his return.
Key Facts
Titled “Jimmy Kimmel Is Back,” the host returned with a nearly 30-minute monologue in which he clarified his remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and took aim at President Donald Trump and the FCC.
Kimmel’s monologue has 8.8 million views as of Wednesday morning, his most-watched video on YouTube since November 2024 when he delivered a monologue addressing Trump’s election victory, which garnered 9.1 million views.
Kimmel’s latest monologue may be earning more viewership than usual on YouTube because broadcasting companies Nexstar and Sinclair, which own nearly a third of all ABC stations nationwide, refused to air Kimmel’s return.
In his monologue, Kimmel acknowledged many major markets wouldn’t air his show, including Washington, D.C., Nashville, New Orleans and St. Louis, where he said his wife’s family would be obstructed from watching the show.
“Sorry Aunt Sharon, sorry Aunt Maureen, you’ll have to go to YouTube, I guess,” Kimmel joked.What Did Kimmel Say In His Monologue?
Kimmel said Tuesday night it was “never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man…I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” stating he doesn’t think “the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone; this is a sick person who believed violence is a solution, and it isn’t ever.
