Late Night Ratings: Tuesday, August 20, 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 late on Tuesday once again, though not as late as it did on Monday. This resulted in day-to-day audience gains in most measurements, but another day of week-to-week losses.

Originating live from Chicago, the Tuesday, August 20 episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert didn’t start until 12:20 a.m. ET, and went on to average 1,622,000 total viewers and 171,000 P18-49, per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. That’s +38% and +23%, respectively, from the previous night’s Late Show (which started at 1 a.m. ET); but -20% and -10%, respectively, from the previous Tuesday’s episode (airing in its usual 11:35 p.m. timeslot). Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (D-NY), and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) both joined the program after DNC night No. 2.

The other late-night program airing live from Chicago this week, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, averaged 462,000 total viewers with 78,000 P18-49 at 11 p.m. That’s +4% and -23%, respectively, from Monday’s episode ; -25% and -53%, respectively, from the previous Tuesday’s episode. Desi Lydic guest-hosted Tuesday’s Daily Show, and welcomed Rep. Lauren Underwood to the program (D-IL).

The other late night shows hosted Tuesday episodes from their traditional locations. Per Nielsen live plus same day data, NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon didn’t start until 12:25 a.m. ET, and went on to average 769,000 total viewers with 131,000 P18-49. That’s +36% in total viewers, and +44% in P18-49 demo viewers from the previous day’s episode (which started at 1:05 a.m. ET); but -37% and -41%, respectively, from the most recent Tuesday Tonight Show (airing in its usual timeslot). Adam Sandler, will.i.am, and Liz Moore all made guest appearance on Tuesday’s program.

Actor, drag queen, and host RuPaul is guest-hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week, and his Tuesday, August 20 episode averaged 811,000 total viewers with 115,000 P18-49 at 12:23 a.m. ET, per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. That’s +49% and +145%, respectively, from the previous day’s episode (starting at 1:01 a.m. ET); but -32% and -31%, respectively, from the previous Tuesday’s Kimmel (in its usual timeslot). Colman Domingo, and Sanaa Lathanmade guest appearances on the program. KALEO performed.

The Tuesday, August 20 episode of NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers averaged 504,000 total viewers with 72,000 P18-49 at 1:28 a.m., per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. That’s +22% and -8% from the day before (which started at 2 a.m.); -34% and -47%, respectively, from the most recent Tuesday episode (which aired in its usual 12:35 a.m. slot). Michael Keaton, and Conner O’Malley made guest appearances on Tuesday’s Late Night. Julian McCullough performed his stand-up act.

Following The Late Show, CBS’ After Midnight re-aired its July 11, 2024 episode beginning at 1:22 a.m., and it averaged 536,000 total viewers with 86,000 P18-49, per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. That’s +7% and +13%, respectively, from the day before (a rebroadcast starting at ~2 a.m. ET); -9% and -7%, respectively, from the Tuesday before (a 12:35 a.m. rebroadcast).

Following Kimmel, ABC News’ Nightline averaged 497,000 total viewers with only 65,000 P18-49 at 1:25 a.m., per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. That’s +31% and +97%, respectively, from the day before (when Nightline started at ~2 a.m. ET); but -32% and -38%, respectively, from the Tuesday prior (when the show aired in its usual 12:35 a.m. slot)

Live+SD ratings (18-49 demo only)

Live+SD ratings (All Viewers 2+)

© The Nielsen Company, used under license.