CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon kicked off the week of May 13 by splitting first place in the late night ratings race.
Most of the shows, including the aforementioned offerings, shed viewers relative to the Monday before.
Per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, Colbert’s Late Show averaged 1,952,000 total viewers and 186,000 P18-49 viewers on May 13, 2024. That’s -11% and -40%, respectively, from the previous Monday (May 6, 2024). Steve Carell, and Paul Simon were Colbert’s guests this past Monday.
Fallon’s Tonight Show averaged 1,223,000 total viewers with 187,000 P18-49 viewers this past Monday. That’s -3% and -14%, respectively, from the Monday prior. Snoop Dogg, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Wie West were Fallon’s guests. Young Miko featuring Feid performed on the program.
ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! is dark this week (Kimmel is in New York for his annual Disney Upfronts appearance). ABC did not submit ratings data to Nielsen for its Monday, May 6 telecast — a rebroadcast of its May 2, 2024 episode.
NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers kicked off the week by winning its 12:35 a.m. timeslot, averaging 851,000 total viewers with 126,000 P18-49 viewers, per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. That represents a -6% decline in total viewers, and a -29% decline in P18-49 viewers from the previous Monday episode. Jimmy Kimmel stopped by Late Night on Monday. Nicola Coughlan, and Jon Theodore also appeared on the program.
CBS’ After Midnight averaged 606,000 total viewers and only 63,000 P18-49 viewers at 12:36 a.m. That’s -31%, and -70%, respectively, from the previous Monday. Johnny Pemberton, Laura Ramoso, and Michaela Watkins appeared on the Taylor Tomlinson-led program.
ABC’s Nightline averaged 679,000 total viewers with 75,000 P18-49 viewers at 12:37 a.m. That represents a -20% drop off in total viewers, and a -49% drop off in P18-49 viewers from the Monday before.
One show did see positive ratings movement: The Daily Show. Jon Stewart returned to his Monday perch this week, and as one might expect, viewership was up substantially from his most recent Daily Show hosting stint on Thursday, May 9.
Per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, the Stewart-led Monday, May 13 Daily Show averaged 690,000 total viewers and 170,000 P18-49 viewers at 11 p.m. ET. When citing live-plus-same-day data, Stewart’s May 13 episode is +50% in total viewers, and +102% in P18-49 viewers from last Thursday’s Stewart-led episode. The May 13 episode also grew by +1% in total viewers and +8% in P18-49 viewers from Stewart’s most recent Monday episode (April 22).
Comedienne and actress Ilana Glazer was Stewart’s guest on the May 13 Daily Show.
Live+SD ratings (18-49 demo only)
| Network | Show Name | Viewers | % Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 PM | |||
| CC | The Daily Show | 170,000 | 1.78 |
| 11:35 PM | |||
| ABC | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (R, 5/2/24 ) | n/a | n/a |
| CBS | The Late Show With Stephen Colbert | 186,000 | 2.36 |
| NBC | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | 187,000 | 2.41 |
| 12:37 AM | |||
| ABC | Nightline (1/2 hour) | 75,000 | 1.39 |
| CBS | After Midnight | 63,000 | 1.29 |
| NBC | Late Night With Seth Meyers | 126,000 | 2.53 |
Live+SD ratings (All Viewers 2+)
| Network | Show Name | Total Viewers | % Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 PM | |||
| CC | The Daily Show | 690,000 | 1.66 |
| 11:35 PM | |||
| ABC | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (R, 5/2/24) | n/a | n/a |
| CBS | The Late Show With Stephen Colbert | 1,952,000 | 6.04 |
| NBC | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | 1,223,000 | 3.84 |
| 12:37 AM | |||
| ABC | Nightline (1/2 hour) | 679,000 | 2.96 |
| CBS | After Midnight | 606,000 | 2.89 |
| NBC | Late Night With Seth Meyers | 851,000 | 4.00 |
© The Nielsen Company, used under license.
