Note: LateNighter generally posts late night daily ratings on a two (business) day delay, which is how they are released by Nielsen.
CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon split first place in the late night ratings race yet again.
Fallon’s Tonight Show averaged the most P18-49 viewers on late night for the fifth consecutive day. The show’s 256,000 P18-49 viewer average for Wednesday, May 15 is +2% from the night before (May 14), and +0.4% from the previous Wednesday (May 8, 2024). The Tonight Show was the second most-watched 11:35 p.m. program this past Wednesday, having averaged 1,573,000 total viewers in the timeslot, according to Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. The program gained +3% in total viewers from the day before, but shed -4% from the Wednesday prior. Fallon’s guests on Wednesday included Will Forte, and NBC Chicago franchise stars S. Epatha Merkerson, Miranda Rae Mayo, Jason Beghe. Members from Broadway’s “The Great Gatsby” performed.
Colbert’s Late Show averaged the most total viewers and second-most P18-49 viewers this past Wednesday at 11:35 p.m. The program’s 1,899,000 total viewers average on Wednesday, May 15 is -5% from the day before, but +2% from the previous Wednesday. The Late Show‘s 219,000 P18-49 average is up +20% from the day before, but -14% from the Wednesday prior. George Stephanopoulos, and Michelle Buteau were Colbert’s guests this past Wednesday.
ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! is dark this week, and the network did not submit ratings data to Nielsen for its Wednesday, May 15 telecast — a rebroadcast of its May 9, 2024 episode.
Similar to its lead-in, NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers continues to thrive on Wednesdays. The show’s May 15 broadcast averaged 946,000 total viewers with 168,000 P18-49 viewers. Not only is Late Night No. 1 in its timeslot on Wednesday, it gained +17% in total viewers and +38% in P18-49 viewers from the day before. It shed -11% in total viewers but gained +1% in P18-49 viewers from the Wednesday, May 8 broadcast. Quinta Brunson, Bobby Moynihan, Les Savy Fav were Meyers’ guests. Jon Theodore performed with the 8G band.
After an especially strong Tuesday, CBS’ After Midnight saw its viewership fall on Wednesday. The May 15 broadcast averaged just 486,000 total viewers with 75,000 P18-49 in the 12:35 a.m. timeslot. That’s -27% in total viewers and -31% in P18-49 viewers from the day before. The program shed -21% in total viewers and -41% in P18-49 viewers from the previous Wednesday’s episode. Ana Gasteyer, Colton Dunn, Jess McKenna appeared on the Taylor Tomlinson-led program.
ABC’s Nightline averaged 625,000 total viewers with 95,000 P18-49 viewers for its Wednesday, May 15 episode. That represents a -1% decline in total viewers, but a +12% improvement in P18-49 viewers from the day before. The episode shed -25% in both of the aforementioned measurements versus the previous Wednesday episode.
Lastly, per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, the Wednesday, May 15 installment of The Daily Show, guest-hosted by correspondent Desi Lydic, averaged 408,000 total viewers with only 73,000 P18-49 viewers at 11 p.m. ET. That’s up +4% in total viewers, but -37% in P18-49 viewers from the day prior. It’s also -11% in total viewers and -32% in P18-49 viewers versus the previous Wednesday episode (May 8, 2024). Amy Ryan was Lydic’s guest on the May 15 Daily Show.
Live+SD ratings (18-49 demo only)
| Network | Show Name | Viewers | % Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 PM | |||
| CC | The Daily Show | 73,000 | 0.79 |
| 11:35 PM | |||
| ABC | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (R, 5/9/24 ) | n/a | n/a |
| CBS | The Late Show With Stephen Colbert | 219,000 | 3.01 |
| NBC | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | 256,000 | 3.55 |
| 12:37 AM | |||
| ABC | Nightline (1/2 hour) | 95,000 | 1.78 |
| CBS | After Midnight | 75,000 | 1.53 |
| NBC | Late Night With Seth Meyers | 168,000 | 3.37 |
Live+SD ratings (All Viewers 2+)
| Network | Show Name | Total Viewers | % Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 PM | |||
| CC | The Daily Show | 408,000 | 0.98 |
| 11:35 PM | |||
| ABC | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (R, 5/9/24) | n/a | n/a |
| CBS | The Late Show With Stephen Colbert | 1,899,000 | 5.99 |
| NBC | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | 1,573,000 | 5.00 |
| 12:37 AM | |||
| ABC | Nightline (1/2 hour) | 625,000 | 2.72 |
| CBS | After Midnight | 486,000 | 2.30 |
| NBC | Late Night With Seth Meyers | 946,000 | 4.38 |
© The Nielsen Company, used under license.
