The Daily Show returned to Comedy Central’s airwaves last night after a week-long break. Viewers 2+ flocked to the episode, undoubtedly chomping at the bit to hear from Monday host Jon Stewart on the tenuous state of President Biden’s re-election campaign.
According to Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, the July 8 Daily Show drew an average of 761,000 total viewers with 114,000 P18-49 at 11 p.m. That’s up +11% in total viewers, but -34% in P18-49 from Stewart’s live post-CNN presidential debate show (Thursday, June 27); +66% and +54%, respectively, from the most-recent Monday Daily Show (guest-hosted by Michael Kosta); +3% but -31%, respectively, relative to Stewart’s most recent Monday episode (June 17, 2024).
While last night’s live-plus-same-day delivery in the demo is less than stellar, the total viewer delivery represents The Daily Show‘s largest total live-plus-same-day audience since Monday, June 10. In fact, out of the 68 Daily Show episodes that have aired in 2024 to-date, last night’s is now the ninth most-watched in total live-plus-same-day viewers.
Overall viewership for the episode will increase dramatically once Nielsen delayed-viewing data arrives later in the month.
After discussing the Biden reelection campaign drama in the opening blocks of Monday’s show, Stewart welcomed journalist and best-selling author A.J. Jacobs to the program. Jacobs was on to discuss his new book “The Year of Living Constitutionally.”
Jordan Klepper and Desi Lydic are hosting The Daily Show for the rest of the week.
