CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert returned to a decisive lead in the 11:35 race the week of April 12.
Colbert, now officially in the final stretch of his run, led the week in both measures, averaging 2.54 million total viewers (+23 percent), comfortably outpacing ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which drew 2.02 million viewers (–5 percent).
According to Nielsen Live+3 ratings data, Colbert also led in the demo with 213,000 adults 18–49 (+14 percent), compared to Kimmel’s 183,000 (–13 percent).
Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which—like Colbert—aired four original episodes and one repeat, dipped slightly following a sharp gain the week prior, when Kimmel benefited from The Late Show airing just three original episodes, with Masters highlights pushing its Thursday and Friday repeat broadcasts to a later start.
NBC’s Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers both remained in repeats, holding steady at 1.09 million total viewers (flat) and 684,000 (flat), respectively. In the demo, Fallon rose 10 percent to 151,000 adults 18–49, while Meyers jumped 26 percent to 111,000. It marked the second consecutive week of repeats for Fallon and a third for Meyers.
At 12:37 a.m., ABC’s Nightline averaged 939,000 total viewers (+2 percent) and 83,000 adults 18–49 (–16 percent) across five original episodes.
On cable, Fox News’ Gutfeld! averaged 3.26 million total viewers (–3 percent) and 234,000 adults 18–49 (–11 percent) across five original episodes, again delivering the largest overall audience among the shows we track.
At 11:00 p.m., Comedy Central’s The Daily Show returned with four original episodes, averaging 1.17 million total viewers and 292,000 adults 18–49—the highest demo average among the shows we track. Week-over-week comparisons are unavailable as the program was dark the prior week.
Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live also returned from a week off with five original episodes, averaging 316,000 total viewers and 96,000 adults 18–49.
Complete ratings charts for the week of April 12, 2026, follow below.
Note: Time period listed is the most common airtime for each show.
| Avg Share (%) | Avg Viewers (000’s) | Vs Last Wk | |
| 10:00 PM | |||
| Gutfeld! (FNC)† 5 first-run episodes | 6.84 | 3,255 | -3% |
| Watch What Happens Live (Bravo)* 5 first-run episodes | 0.66 | 316 | — |
| 11:00 PM | |||
| The Daily Show (COM)* 4 first-run episodes | 3.47 | 1,167 | — |
| 11:35 PM | |||
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 7.50 | 2,021 | -5% |
| The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 9.45 | 2,536 | +23% |
| The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC) 5 repeats | 4.05 | 1,085 | flat |
| 12:37 AM | |||
| Nightline (ABC)* 5 first-run episodes | 4.77 | 939 | +2% |
| Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC) 5 repeats | 3.79 | 684 | flat |
Live+ 3 Ratings — In the Demo (P18-49)
| US Share (%) | US AA Proj (000’s) | Vs Last Wk | |
| 10:00 PM | |||
| Gutfeld! (FNC)† 5 first-run episodes | 2.51 | 234 | -11% |
| Watch What Happens Live (Bravo)* 5 first-run episodes | 1.02 | 96 | — |
| 11:00 PM | |||
| The Daily Show (COM)* 4 first-run episodes | 3.47 | 292 | — |
| 11:35 PM | |||
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 3.48 | 183 | -13% |
| The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 4.08 | 213 | +14% |
| The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC) 5 repeats | 2.86 | 151 | +10% |
| 12:37 AM | |||
| Nightline (ABC)* 5 first-run episodes | 2.10 | 83 | -16% |
| Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC) 5 repeats | 3.06 | 111 | +26% |
Ratings data © The Nielsen Company, used under license.
