Kimmel Midterm Telecast Draws 2.4 Million Viewers
The Tuesday election broadcast marked the show's biggest midterm telecast ever, according to Nielsen data.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Television
Jimmy Kimmel Live drew 2.4 million viewers for its Tuesday midterm election telecast, a 53% increase over the 1.6 million who watched the 2022 midterm telecast, according to Nielsen. The telecast earned a 0.32 rating among adults 18-49, up 68% from a 0.19 rating in 2022.
Why it matters
The gains show the program's audience growing during a high-interest political event, with the 0.32 rating the show's highest excluding NFL, NBA and NHL lead-ins in more than a year. The show has also ranked No. 1 among late-night competitors in viewers and adults 18-49 for all seven weeks of the season.
Nielsen measured the telecast at 2.4 million viewers and a 0.32 rating among adults 18-49, up from 1.6 million viewers and a 0.19 rating at the 2022 midterm telecast. The season-to-date average of 2.5 million viewers is up 16% from last year's 2.1 million, and the source does not say how the season's audience will ultimately compare with other late-night programs.
The players
Jimmy Kimmel Live
A late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Kimmel on ABC that airs weeknights and has long competed with other late-night programs for audiences.
Nielsen
A global audience measurement company whose ratings and viewership data are the industry standard for television ratings in the United States.
The details
The telecast was the show's biggest midterm election broadcast ever, and the week averaged 2.5 million viewers and a 0.23 rating among adults 18-49. The show has ranked No. 1 among late-night competitors in both viewers and adults 18-49 for all seven weeks of the season.
Timeline
November 8, 2022: The previous midterm telecast drew 1.6 million viewers.
November 10, 2026: The Tuesday midterm telecast drew 2.4 million viewers.
2014-2015 season: The last season the source compares to the current season's most-watched status.
Season Trajectory
The 2026 midterm telecast extends a pattern of year-over-year growth, as the season is on track to be Kimmel's most-watched in 12 years and marks the fifth consecutive season of growth by Week 7. The show's 2.5 million season-to-date average is up 16% from last year's 2.1 million.
Viewers who watch Jimmy Kimmel Live can see the midterm telecast and weekly episodes through the broadcast schedule, and the show's growing audience signals continued availability of its nightly late-night slot. The source does not address changes to streaming access or subscription requirements.
The takeaway
Rising late-night audiences during a major political event suggest viewers are turning to comedy and commentary programs for election coverage. Readers following the season can track whether the show's momentum holds through its remaining weeks.
Further reading
Keep up with the latest in Television coverage for more on how audiences are watching shows like this one.
