Jimmy Kimmel marked a triumphant return to the late-night scene with sky-high viewership.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! hit 6.3 million viewers during its fiery comeback episode on Tuesday, despite not airing in 23 percent of U.S. households due to boycotts by Nexstar and Sinclair, according to preliminary data from Nielsen, which does not yet include streaming data.

The Tuesday numbers are nearly four times larger than Kimmel’s second-quarter average of 1.77 million viewers over seven days, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In the coveted 18-49 demographic, the show earned a .87 rating, making it the most-watched episode in more than 10 years.

In a 28-minute monologue that was both emotional and defiant, Kimmel said it was never his intention to make light of the assassination of Charlie Kirk

See Full Page