• Jimmy Kimmel's return to "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" scored 6.26 million viewers, the highest in a decade.
• The episode was his first after a suspension due to controversial remarks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
• Despite preemptions by some network affiliates, Kimmel's monologue received over 26 million views on social media.

On Tuesday, Jimmy Kimmel's comeback episode attracted 6.26 million viewers, marking the highest ratings for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in over a decade. The surge in viewers came just days after he was reinstated following a suspension tied to controversial comments regarding the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Notably, nearly a quarter of television affiliates did not air the episode, according to Disney, which cited Nielsen ratings for the numbers reported in Business Insider, South China Morning Post, CBS News, and BBC.

Kimmel's monologue featured sharp critiques of the political climate and specifically addressed a government threat aiming to censor him. "A government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn’t like is anti-American," Kimmel stated, outlining the implications of political pressures, as noted by India Times and Le Monde.

His commentary resonated widely, achieving an impressive additional 26 million views on various social media platforms. Kimmel humorously remarked on Trump's dismissal of his ratings by quipping, "Well, I do tonight!" This lighthearted retort received enthusiastic applause from the studio audience, reflecting the mix of comedy and emotional depth during his return, as reported by Bangkok Post and Business Insider.

Despite the impressive ratings and online views, Kimmel's show continues to be preempted in numerous markets due to ongoing disputes over his previous comments. Both Nexstar and Sinclair have announced intentions to keep the show off their networks. Kimmel's case has sparked a broader conversation on the state of free speech in media, following pressures from the Trump administration, highlighted by comments from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, as seen in reports from South China Morning Post and CBS News.