Tues Ratings: Colbert Draws More Viewers Than Fallon and Kimmel Combined

Note: LateNighter’s late night daily ratings reports are drawn from Nielsen live-plus-same-day data and do not take include delayed and/or streaming views. They are generally posted on a two (business) day delay, which is how they are released by Nielsen.

Stephen Colbert has reason to keep dancing. CBS’ The Late Show averaged more total viewers and more P18-49 viewers than its ABC and NBC timeslot counterparts combined this Tuesday, October 22.

Featuring guests Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, and Alfonso Cuarón, Tuesday night’s Late Show averaged 2,309,000 total viewers with 302,000 P18-49 at 11:35 p.m. That’s up +8% in total viewers and +16% among P18-49 from the night before, +8% and +21%, respectively, from the previous Tuesday’s episode. The 302,000 P18-49 average for Tuesday represents the show’s largest delivery in the key demo in six weeks (since Sept. 10).

NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon averaged just 988,000 total viewers with 113,000 P18-49 this past Tuesday. That’s down -15% in total viewers and -35% among P18-49 viewers from the night before, -9% and -51%, respectively, from the previous Tuesday (a rerun). Tom Holland, and Bridget Everett made guest appearances on the Tuesday, Oct. 22 Tonight Show. Damiano David performed.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! is dark this week, and ABC re-aired the show’s Sept. 16, 2024 episode on Tuesday night. With no Monday Night Football to give the show a ratings lift, the Tuesday 11:35 p.m. telecast averaged 1,208,000 total viewers with 143,000 P18-49 — which is down -17% in total viewers and -47% among P18-49 from the night before; -36% and -26% from the Tuesday prior (a new episode). Chris Hemsworth, and Elizabeth Olsen were Kimmel’s guests on that Sept. 16 episode, and Green Day performed.

Similar to The Late Show, After Midnight  had a strong night. Tuesday’s episode averaged 733,000 total viewers with a 12:35 a.m. timeslot-high 139,000 P18-49 on CBS. That’s up +24% in total viewers and +1% in P18-49 from the night before, +6% and +16%, respectively, from the previous Tuesday. Josh Peck, Kurt Braunohler, and Taylor Ortega all appeared on the program.

Elsewhere at 12:35, NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers averaged 729,000 total viewers with 81,000 P18-49. That’s down -18% in total viewers and -43% among the demo from the night before, +7% and -40%, respectively, from the previous Tuesday (a rerun). Liam Neeson, Jenny Slate, and Tim O’Brien all made guest appearances on the program.

Following Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Nightline averaged 797,000 total viewers with only 66,000 P18-49 on ABC. That’s down -10% in total viewers and -62% in P18-49 from the night before, -9% and -16%, respectively, from the previous Tuesday’s episode.

Lastly, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show saw a predictable viewership decline on Tuesday after a highly-rated Monday episode featuring Jon Stewart’s sit-down with Gov. Tim Walz. Guest hosted by Michael Kosta, the Oct. 22 Daily Show averaged 544,000 total viewers with 117,000 P18-49. That’s -35% in total viewers and -25% among P18-49 from the night before, -13% and -27%, respectively, from the previous Tuesday’s Daily Show. U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm joined Kosta on the program.

Tuesday’s complete ratings charts follow below.

Live+SD ratings (All Viewers 2+)

Live+SD ratings (18-49 demo only)

Ratings data © The Nielsen Company, used under license.