Late Night Ratings: Monday, August 19, 2024

Note: LateNighter generally posts late night daily ratings on a two (business) day delay, which is how they are released by Nielsen.

Broadcast networks are delivering live coverage of the 2024 Democratic National Convention this week from Chicago. The coverage ran quite late on Monday, putting a substantial dent in late-night TV Nielsen ratings.

Originating live from Chicago, the Monday, August 19 episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert didn’t start until 1 a.m. ET, and went on to average 1,179,000 total viewers and 139,000 P18-49, per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. That’s -44% and -24%, respectively, from the previous Monday’s Late Show (airing in its usual 11:35 p.m. slot). Hillary Rodham Clinton–who delivered live remarks to the DNC delegates earlier in the evening–and Julia Louis-Dreyfus both joined the program after DNC night No. 1.

The other live, Chicago-based late-night program this week, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, averaged 446,000 total viewers and 101,000 P18-49 in its usual 11 p.m. timeslot. That’s still -15% and -19%, respectively, from the previous Monday’s Daily Show. Correspondent (and Michigan native) Michael Kosta welcomed Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the program on Monday.

The other late night shows hosted Monday episodes from their traditional locations. Per Nielsen live plus same day data, NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon didn’t start until 1:05 a.m. ET, and went on to average only 565,000 total viewers with 91,000 P18-49. That’s -51% in total viewers, and -52% in P18-49 demo viewers from the most recent Monday Tonight Show (airing in its usual timeslot). Michael Keaton, and After Midnight host Taylor Tomlinson made guest appearances on the Monday, August 19 episode. Rapsody featuring Erykah Badu performed.

Actor, drag queen, host RuPaul is on Jimmy Kimmel Live! guest-hosting duties this week, and his Monday, August 19 episode (starting at 1:01 a.m. ET) averaged 544,000 total viewers with only 47,000 P18-49, per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. That’s -48% and -68%, respectively, from the previous Monday’s Kimmel (in its usual timeslot). Maya Rudolph, and RuPaul Drag Race’s Nymphia Wind, Sapphira Cristál and Plane Jane made guest appearances on the program.  Tommy Richman performed.

The Monday, August 19 episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers averaged 413,000 total viewers with 78,000 P18-49 from 2-3 a.m., per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. That’s -45% and -28%, from the most recent Monday episode (which aired in its usual 12:35 a.m. slot). Jessica Alba, Ramin Setoodeh, Langston Kerman all made guest appearances on the program. Craig Finn sat in with the 8G Band.

Following The Late Show, CBS’ After Midnight re-aired its June 18, 2024 episode beginning at 2:02 a.m., and it averaged 503,000 total viewers with 76,000 P18-49 at 2:02 a.m., per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. That’s -19% and -30%, respectively, from the Monday before (a 11:35 p.m. rebroadcast).

Following Kimmel, ABC News’ Nightline averaged 379,000 total viewers with only 33,000 P18-49 at 2:03 a.m., per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. That’s -40% and -66%, respectively, from the Monday prior.

Live+SD ratings (18-49 demo only)

Live+SD ratings (All Viewers 2+)

© The Nielsen Company, used under license.