Week of Sept. 23, 2024 Late Night Ratings

Note: LateNighter generally posts late night weekly live-plus-three ratings on a three (business) day delay, which is how they are released by Nielsen.

The week of September 23, 2024 was a terrific one as far as late night Nielsen ratings go. ABC, CBS, NBC and Comedy Central’s signature offerings in the daypart all seeing week-to-week audience growth, not only in total viewers but also among P18-49.

In terms of the weekly ratings race, CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert maintained its status as the No. 1 late night show in total viewers, while ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, receiving an assist from Monday Night Football, out-performed its 11:35 p.m. counterparts when it came the P18-49 demo.

Per Nielsen live-plus-three data, The Late Show averaged 2,355,000 total viewers with 259,000 P18-49 for the week beginning Sept. 23. That’s up +18% and +19%, respectively, from the the week before (Sept. 16-20). Colbert’s week of Sept. 23 ratings are based on data from four first-run episodes (Monday through Thursday), along with a Friday repeat. It is worth noting that the previous week’s Late Show ratings are based on only three first-run episodes (Tues-Thurs), and rebroadcasts on Monday and Friday.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! averaged 1,871,000 total viewers with 278,000 P18-49 for the week of Sept. 23. That’s up +7% and +43%, respectively, from the week before. Kimmel’s week of Sept. 23 ratings averages are based on data from four new episodes (Monday-Thursday) and a Friday rebroadcast; same as the week before.

NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon  averaged 1,341,000 total viewers with 217,000 P18-49 for the week of Sept. 23. That’s up +16% and +12%, respectively, from the week before. The week of Sept. 23 Tonight Show 11:35 p.m. ratings are based on data from four first-run episodes (Monday through Thursday), and a Friday rebroadcast; same as the week before.

Following Jimmy Kimmel Live!, ABC’s Nightline averaged 1,013,000 total viewers with 177,000 P18-49 viewers at 12:35 a.m. this past week, per Nielsen live-plus-three data. That’s up +17% and +53%, respectively, from the week prior. Nightline‘s week of Sept. 23 averages are based on Nielsen data from five new episodes (Monday-Friday); same for the week prior.

Following The Tonight Show, NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers averaged 965,000 total viewers with 140,000 P18-49 for the week of Sept. 23. That’s up +21% and +9%, respectively, from the previous week. Meyers’ week of Sept. 23 Nielsen ratings averages are based on data from four new episodes (Monday-Thursday) and a Friday rebroadcast. The previous week’s weekly averages are based on data from three new episodes (Tuesday-Thursday), along with repeats on Monday (post-Emmys) and Friday.

Following The Late Show, CBS’ After Midnight averaged 685,000 total viewers with 134,000 P18-49 for the week of Sept. 23. That’s up +10% and +11%, respectively, from the week prior. Week of of Sept. 23 Nielsen ratings averages for the Taylor Tomlinson-led program are based on data from four new episodes (Monday-Thursday) and a Friday rebroadcast; same as the week prior.

Lastly, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show ‘s four new episodes (Jon Stewart on Monday, Desi Lydic Tuesday through Thursday) for the week of Sept. 23 averaged 944,000 total viewers with 156,000 P18-49. That’s up +10% and +3%, respectively, from the week prior. It’s also worth noting The Daily Show aired only three new episodes the week prior. The show was preempted the Monday of that week — traditionally the program’s most-watched day. Nevertheless, growth is growth!

The week’s complete ratings charts follow below.

Weekly live+3 ratings (Viewers 2+)

Weekly live+3 ratings (P18-49 Demo)

© The Nielsen Company, used under license.