The Daily Show surged back to the top of late night in the key 18–49 demo during the week of March 22, posting the biggest gains among the shows we track as Jon Stewart and Josh Johnson split hosting duties.
According to Nielsen Live+3 ratings data, the Comedy Central series averaged 1.16 million total viewers (+38 percent) and 281,000 adults 18–49 (+51 percent), marking the largest week-to-week gains across both measures.
Both hosts delivered growth. Stewart’s Monday night episode was up 34 percent week over week in total viewers, while Johnson’s Tuesday through Thursday broadcasts climbed 39 percent. In the demo, Johnson’s episodes posted a 66 percent increase, compared to a 19 percent gain for Stewart.
At 11:35 p.m., ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! led in total viewers, averaging 2.44 million (+4 percent), while also topping the hour in the demo with 270,000 adults 18–49 (+16 percent).
CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which aired repeats all week, fell sharply to 1.24 million total viewers (–33 percent) and 179,000 adults 18–49 (–9 percent).
NBC’s Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon averaged 1.32 million total viewers (–1 percent) and 170,000 adults 18–49 (+1 percent).
At 12:37 a.m., NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers averaged 892,000 total viewers (–5 percent) and 129,000 adults 18–49 (–8 percent). ABC’s Nightline averaged 1.00 million total viewers (–2 percent) but rose 17 percent in the demo to 104,000 adults 18–49.
On cable, Fox News’ Gutfeld! again delivered the largest overall audience among the shows we track, averaging 3.49 million total viewers (+7 percent) and 273,000 adults 18–49 (+16 percent) across five original episodes.
Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live averaged 336,000 total viewers (–9 percent) and 92,000 adults 18–49 (–5 percent).
Complete ratings charts for the week of March 22, 2026, follow below.
Note: Time period listed is the most common airtime for each show.
Live+ 3 Ratings — All Viewers (P2+)
| Avg Share (%) | Avg Viewers (000’s) | Vs Last Wk | |
| 10:00 PM | |||
| Gutfeld! (FNC)† 5 first-run episodes | 7.14 | 3,486 | +7% |
| Watch What Happens Live (Bravo)* 5 first-run episodes | 0.67 | 336 | -9% |
| 11:00 PM | |||
| The Daily Show (COM)* 4 first-run episodes | 3.30 | 1,164 | +38% |
| 11:35 PM | |||
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 8.65 | 2,437 | +4% |
| The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS) 5 repeats | 5.55 | 1,235 | -33% |
| The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 4.87 | 1,322 | -1% |
| 12:37 AM | |||
| Nightline (ABC)* 5 first-run episodes | 4.92 | 1,004 | -2% |
| Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 4.94 | 892 | -5% |
Live+ 3 Ratings — In the Demo (P18-49)
| US Share (%) | US AA Proj (000’s) | Vs Last Wk | |
| 10:00 PM | |||
| Gutfeld! (FNC)† 5 first-run episodes | 2.89 | 273 | +16% |
| Watch What Happens Live (Bravo)* 5 first-run episodes | 0.96 | 92 | -5% |
| 11:00 PM | |||
| The Daily Show (COM)* 4 first-run episodes | 4.06 | 281 | +51% |
| 11:35 PM | |||
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 4.73 | 270 | +16% |
| The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS) 5 repeats | 4.31 | 179 | -9% |
| The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 3.13 | 170 | +1% |
| 12:37 AM | |||
| Nightline (ABC)* 5 first-run episodes | 2.48 | 104 | +17% |
| Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 3.49 | 129 | -8% |
Ratings data © The Nielsen Company, used under license.
