A post-football bump and the return of new episodes boosted ABC and NBC’s late-night lineups for the week of Oct. 26-Nov. 2, while Comedy Central’s The Daily Show took a step back from its recent highs.
According to Nielsen Live+3 data, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert led the 11:35 p.m. field with 2.26 million total viewers and 178,000 adults 18–49, though both measures slipped from the previous week (–8 percent in total viewers, –21 percent in the demo).
Jimmy Kimmel Live! rebounded sharply after a week of repeats, climbing to 1.83 million total viewers and 198,000 adults 18–49—up 34 percent and 21 percent, respectively.
NBC’s Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon also saw sizable gains, averaging 1.31 million total viewers (+15 percent) and 235,000 adults 18–49 (+28 percent). The show’s growth was aided by a special Sunday night airing following Sunday Night Football on Oct. 26. That single broadcast drew a total audience of 2 million viewers—more than 50% higher than The Tonight Show’s Q3 average. In the advertiser-coveted 18–49 demo, Sunday night’s episode grew 220%, from a Q3 average of 170,000 viewers to 544,000.
At 12:37 a.m., Late Night with Seth Meyers averaged 823,000 total viewers and 110,000 adults 18–49, down slightly from the prior week (–5 percent, –14 percent). ABC News: Nightline improved to 878,000 viewers (+9 percent) and 101,000 adults 18–49 (+15 percent) across five originals.
The Daily Show slipped to 760,000 total viewers and 133,000 adults 18–49, down 9 percent and 40 percent, respectively, from the previous week. It was not immediately clear what drove the decline.
On cable, Fox News’ Gutfeld! drew 2.85 million viewers and 203,000 adults 18–49, down 11 percent and 14 percent from the previous week. Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live averaged 341,000 viewers and 98,000 adults 18–49, down 3 percent in total viewers and roughly flat in the demo. Both Gutfeld! and Watch What Happens Live air in prime time.
Complete ratings charts for the week of Oct. 26, 2025, follow below.
Note: Time period listed is most common airtime for show
Live+ 3 Ratings — All Viewers (P2+)
| Avg Share (%) | Avg Viewers (000’s) | Vs Last Wk | |
| 10:00 PM | |||
| Gutfeld! (FNC)† 4 first-run episodes | 5.45 | 2,850 | -11% |
| Watch What Happens Live (Bravo)* 5 first-run episodes | 0.62 | 341 | -3% |
| 11:00 PM | |||
| The Daily Show (COM)* 4 first-run episodes | 2.05 | 760 | -9% |
| 11:35 PM | |||
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 6.97 | 1,830 | +34% |
| The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 8.41 | 2,260 | -8% |
| The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC) 5 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 5.65 | 1,310 | +15% |
| 12:37 AM | |||
| Nightline (ABC)* 5 first-run episodes | 4.68 | 878 | +9% |
| Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 4.74 | 823 | -5% |
Live+ 3 Ratings — In the Demo (P18-49)
| US Share (%) | US AA Proj (000’s) | Vs Last Wk | |
| 10:00 PM | |||
| Gutfeld! (FNC)† 4 first-run episodes | 1.78 | 203 | -14% |
| Watch What Happens Live (Bravo)* 5 first-run episodes | 0.82 | 98 | -3% |
| 11:00 PM | |||
| The Daily Show (COM)* 4 first-run episodes | 1.69 | 133 | -40% |
| 11:35 PM | |||
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 3.76 | 198 | +21% |
| The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 3.33 | 178 | -21% |
| The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC) 5 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 5.46 | 235 | +28% |
| 12:37 AM | |||
| Nightline (ABC)* 5 first-run episodes | 2.72 | 101 | +15% |
| Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC) 4 first-run episodes, 1 repeat | 3.28 | 110 | -14% |
Ratings data © The Nielsen Company, used under license.
