Late Night TV Ratings: Who’s Top & Who’s Lagging Behind?
The competitive world of late-night has seen gains and losses in recent weeks, with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert leading the pack in audience share, and Fox News’ Gutfeld! not far behind.
According to LateNighter.com, citing Nielsen figures, the week of February 23 saw The Late Show continue to draw the largest audience in its timeslot, with a 7.56 audience share. Even though it was down -15% among total viewers and -21% in the demo, the show still stood atop in its timeslot with 2,030 million viewers and 214,000 in the key 18-49 demo.
In comparison, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which airs at the same time on ABC, grew its audience over the week prior by nearly 42 per cent among total viewers and by 15 per cent among viewers in the key demo. Yet, its total viewers were well behind The Late Show, with 1,553 million and 145,000 in the key demo.
Meanwhile, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, airing on NBC at the same time, lagged behind with 1,136 million total viewers; however, it posted a higher demo than Kimmel with 177,000.
The week’s big winner, though, was Fox News’ Gutfeld!, which airs at 10 pm and held an average of 3,539 million total viewers and a 305,000 in the key demo. However, its total audience share was slightly behind The Late Show with 7.52.
Also, it should be noted that Gutfeld! aired five first-run episodes that week, whereas Colbert, Kimmel, and Fallon aired four first-run episodes and a repeat. However, Gutfeld! airs on cable, where the other three shows air on broadcast.
ABC’s Nightline (five first-run episodes) led the way in total viewers in the 12:37 pm slot with 821,000, while After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson (four first-run episodes and one repeat) on CBS averaged 622,000 total viewers and Late Night with Seth Meyers on NBC drew 609,000 total viewers. However, Meyers was in a week of repeats.
Despite being in repeats, Late Night still led in the demo for its time slot with a 105,000, compared to Nightline‘s 97,000 and After Midnight‘s 95,000.
Conversation129 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
O
Gutfeld is the best late night show.
135 22
-
G
He's not on in Late Night slot with many more potential viewers when he's on at 10pm and trails the other 10pm shows by a wide margin.
2 7
-
B
But he's on a cable station, the others are major networks that can be viewed with an antenna
1 1
-
P
Poorly conceived jokes that don’t land - plus a mean streak a mile wide. Prefer the wit of Stephen and Jimmy!
4 8
-
-
G
Yes it is, by far
2 2
-
-
G
For sure Gutfeld’s show is fresh and far more interesting. Really dislike all late night shows except Gutfeld..
129 30
-
P
dislike Gutfield he is just plain mean. Guess a lot of folks like pure meanness these days don’t find him fresh or interesting - or humorous in the slightest.
5 8
-
-
J
colbert and kimmel belong on the view with big mouth whoopi
71 8
-
G
Oh yeah, would love to see them all together bashing the crap out of Trump and Musk. But they’re too polite to say he’s a f-ing asshole!!
1 13
-
-
O
I find Gutfield's jokes fall flat, but...the math ain't mathing. Late night had 2,030,000 viewers with 214,000 in the "key demo". If Gutfield pulled in 3,539 million total viewers and 305,000 in the "key demo", how is Stephen Colbert's show #1?
76 13
-
C
Different time slot
3
-
R
GG is an acquired taste. He's not a comedian, he's a satirical, philosophical, edgy thinker. Not massively deep, but he projects his opinions and tries to be funny and more often than not, he's the only one laughing. I've met him, he's a nice guy who is somewhat shy; fame is not his thing but he handles it well. Just my two cents.
62 11
-
C
So wait GG projects his opinion and the others don't? LMAO!
7 1
-
O
That's not what he is saying. Talk about trying to be funny, but being the only one laughing ... please don't waste time and space with your petty, trifling pretzel logic codswallop. Give this wannabe poser the hook!
2 1
-
-
O
He feigns being somewhat shy. When did you pass by him in the airport?
1
-
-
O
Gutfield is the Fox guy. If you think about it, he's good at delivering jokes. He reads jokes from his writers without even scanning them first. With that in mind, I have to admit he does a fair job of hawking the wares. When he ad-libs, he goes off track and comes off as a silly sophomore. Colbert is the quintessential silly sophomore, especially since he honed his campy persona when they gave him this show. He oversells the wares with his contrived "personality" as if twirling like Mary Poppins and mugging a self-satisfied grin is a valuable commodity. It must be for his Woke viewership. The numbers you quote prove a bias by the media. They don't seem to want America to be great.
6 4
-
O
They're intended to be flat. He is good!
1 2
-
-
B
Jimmy Kimmel, Steven Colbert and Jimmy Fallon are terrible shows! When I have suffered through watching their shows, none of them are ever funny! All three shows should be canceled and replaced by reruns of Law & Oder, NCIS and whatever ABC show that would be more entertaining than these three! What a waste of oxygen they are and none have any real talent!
83 30
-
F
you ate lots of paint chips as a kid,right?
5 8
-
G
Are you speaking from experience? What an ignorant response to the truth!!
5 4
-
-
G
Because you are a cult member so you have to go where they say what you want to hear. A life coddled by lies so you can feel justified
6 12
-
G
Wow! You have consumed the poisonous kool aid spewed by Democrats and MSM! If you wean yourself off their BS your IQ points may reach 80 and you will stop embarrassing yourself!
12 3
-
-
B
So apparent you are one of the Mags minions . You really should not bother watching these shows since facing truths (and satire ) are difficult for you . However , suggesting they should be cancelled is a Musk like strategy ..live and let live and let others laugh !
3 8
-
G
It is clear that you played contact sports as a child but with no helmet! I voted for Trump and thank God real Americans did too! I’ve learned you cannot argue with stupid so I will not continue to debate you and your ignorance any longer!
8 4
-
-
-
J
Gutfeld is simply the contrarian choice for the audience CBS, NBC and ABC ran off with Colbert, Fallon and Kimmel. Fox and Gutfeld were smart to capture, and the numbers are evidence of it.
In addition, Gen Z is going to be the real problem for each of these late-night programs as broadcast and cable TV is the equivalent of AM radio to them.
38 11
-
F
watching tv with your head out your ass is prefered boy.
4 10
-
O
You might want to pull yours out and get some air. You don't get the drift.
4 1
-
-
-
B
Gutfield is funny and informative and Fallon has a little something. The other 2 don't even get a view
29 4
-
O
How about a late night host without a political agenda? How about doubling your market size? What a concept? Sad state of affairs.
34 11
-
G
I love Gutfield show
21 4
-
B
Colbert is a leading liar of the lying left
23 7
-
R
He's smug, an undesirable of the highest order. Kimmel is just as bad. Fallon... His style at least can be entertaining since he has what the other two guys don't have: TALENT.
3 3
-
-
B
Jimmy Kimmel Show is like walking through a nursing home that smells like urine. You can't wait to get out and once you do you don't go back.
17 2
-
B
I think Jimmy Kimmel is the most disgusting tv host that has ever been on the air. He is vile, stupid and uninformed. Keep up the Trump bashing Kimmel and maybe the network will wise up and take your sorry ass off the air!
53 38
-
B
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
You don't understand much, do ya ?
The rest of the world says : "Wake up!"
Kimmel is kind, funny and respected.
10 12
-
G
In a fantasy world maybe!
1 5
-
P
No. The rest of the world is not saying that at all. Stay in your own little world. There will NEVER be another Democrat running anything again.
2 3
-
-
-
O
Yep, old conservatives watch TV and the rest of us tend to watch clips on Youtube. Nielsen is an antiquated method to get a true measure of engagement.
44 29
-
D
Gutfeld's jokes can fall flat, and sometimes they can be mean, but the show is edgy and it can be funny. And I leave the show a little more informed about what is happening. A totally different kind of late night talk. When I watch Colbert, I feel like I'm being lectured and and I just don't find Kimmel funny at all, in fact he is mean.
18 5
-
O
Jimmy Kimmel is the worst yet, his monologues are getting way too political. He not only goes far beyond having any good taste, he distorts the truth and lies to his audience about it
14 3
-
G
The real story is Gutfeld manages to win the time period despite being on a paid cable channel whereas the others are available free and over the air. Makes you wonder what Gutfeld's ratings would be if he were on a broadcast channel.
8
-
G
Gutfield is #1. Love his show
9 1
-
P
Kimmel is an arrogant know it all. I can’t imagine anyone ever watching him.
13 5
-
O
Kimmel and Colbert are non stop bashing and indoctrination
8 1
-
P
GG will be the last man standing. BTW he has 2 shows. The lefties on late-night can hardly do one. How many are watching GG on YouTube like me? Probably millions.
9 2
-
P
I think Gutfeld would win all 7 swing states the popular vote and call it a mandate�
9 2
-
R
Gutfeld, skins all these hosts with no superstars pushing movies, music or books. Plus the other channels lie.
7 3
-
G
Gutfield is the best!!!!!!!!! The rest are full of it.
6 2
-
B
Hummm, Greg gets a million more viewers than Coblbert, but he's behind? I knew I should've paid more attention in math class.
3
-
G
And the cough Ladies of the View are stupid enough on their own they don’t help from Other stupid people.
4 1
-
G
When are the big three on network tv, CBS, NBC, ABC,,,,,going to realize ,, people are sick and tired of the same old bull -crap they sell every night on the late night TV broadcast .They better pray the FOX does not change the GUTFIELD time slot to the same late night as the network late night (NOTHING NEW CREW) WOW !!!!!!
2
-
O
Are you serious? He pokes fun at EVERYONE...Women included...and when at Women there is a huge banner that comes out that says "What a Sexist Would Say." Settle down Karen.
3 1
-
B
Jay Leno was funny, he could roast a politician without being nasty about it. I never knew his politics. Late night now is a humorless hate fest.
2
-
B
The border is secure, inflation is transitory, and Hunter's laptop is a fake. you mean like those facts?
3 1
-
O
I don't watch any show that have political opinions and we pay for them ha ....these options are like as holes they all steak!
Really what is funny about politics???
2
-
B
The woke go back to Colbert and Kimmel sometimes for more lies.
3 1
-
G
Ratings are based on time slots and demographics…Gutfeld is on at 10…he better have more viewers than someone on at 11:35
1
-
D
They are not airing at the same time. Gutfeld is in prime time at 10pm, and the others are on after the 11pm news, usually at 11:35pm.
1
-
O
Why don't they include Gutfield's viewership on youtube, which has only a few, if any, commercials? Looking at the views, it looks like it's conservatively averaging @400k
2 1
-
O
I love Greg Gutfeld 👍🏻😍 watch him every night! And love Tyrus , Kat and all guest that Greg invites,BEST NIGHT SHOW EVER!!!!?
1
-
P
Huge mistake. Sorry if this repetive Your numbers are wrong. It would be like, Trump won in a landslide with half the globe’s population, 4,000 million votes.
2 1
-
T
Gutfeld is great the program goes by so quick, we look forward to it every night.
-
G
I think it was great Jimmy had Gutfeld on his show. There is no reason talk show host can’t put politics aside and be friends, and be on each others shows. Hats off to you Jimmy.
1 1
-
O
Never heard of a DVR?
-
G
Key demo being younger viewers, something like 25-45 year olds
-
R
Colbert will be on another show before the summer of 2026 is over! He is a decent person, unlike GG. GG is as funny as roadkill.
-
G
Right on!
-
C
I like Greg Gutfeld his show is funny I like Tyrus kat, and the comedians that he has on his show. but on all these shows, sometimes the politics get ridiculous and boring. Give me a good old show like Johnny Carson, who has comedians singers and guess like that and stay away from the politics boy that would be a different way to go huh Jimmy Kimmel is a putts all the stuff he used to do and now he acts like a saint ridiculous.
-
R
Johnny Carson
-
G
You are out in left field with a basketball ????
1 1
-
R
Most old conservatives are asleep by 10 pm!
-
B
Not many people watch legacy crap,,more chose Internet and you tube,,bunch of poop 💩
-
P
I don't think that Gutfld should be compared since he isn't considered late night.
1 1
-
G
Not surprised that the lemmings flock to one place
1 1
-
G
SPOT ON .......
1
-
R
So you have a Sesame Street attention span.
1 2
-
O
You have to a dweeb who thinks he's cool to be a late night host.
1
-
G
This is apples and oranges. Out Gutfeld is on at 10:pm one and a half hours earlier than the Late Night Shows.
There are more viewers before 11:00 pm.
More realistically, he should be compared to the shows on ABC, NBC, and CBS on at 10:00pm each night.
2 3
-
B
He's on cable so it evens out
1
-
-
O
Late night is not 10:00 pm. Gutfield is not funny. (Insert fart or shit joke here)
1 2
-
B
And kimmel is?
1 1
-
-
O
Trump rigged kimmel numbers.
1
-
O
2,030 million is over 2 billion. Learn math before you write your next article
1 2
-
G
I should have swallowed that little zray . . .
1
-
P
"Informative"? 🤣 How? His whole show hinges on sexist jokes.
2 4
-
P
Yeah, it's so 'fresh' making sexist jokes all the time. You are what you watch.
4 6
-
B
Gutfeld on Fox should not even be in the same categories. It's nothing less than a produce sitcom at best. He is gross
3 5
-
G
I think everyone on Fox News, and all of the stations supporters are traitors to our Democracy.
1 3
-
G
What an ignorant post!! Obviously, you believe all the lies and propaganda from Democrats, CNN, MSNBC and MSM! Once you start to withdraw from their rhetoric you will start feeling better and your IQ may go up to 90 depending on how long you have been drinking their poison
3 1
-
-
P
You listed everyone who has been making fund of the Orange Felon. So you don't like free speech that much, huh? But some clown on TV who constantly makes sexist jokes about women is A-okay? You know a woman gave birth to you, right?
1 5
-
B
Gutfield is not funny. The others are just slightly better but really the talk shows need to go away. Just a bunch of so called stars pushing their next thing
4
-
P
So...you like dudes that constantly berate women? Do you constantly berate women?
3 8
-
G
Least he knows what a Woman is. You probably think Trans are really women !! 😂
5 2
-
-
P
Gutfield is like the kid in school who has no friends and has to say things out LOUD to garner attention and Laughs at his own jokes pitifully attempting to gain that attention...Pathetic! 🤣
1 7
-
G
You must be having flashbacks to your childhood!!
1 1
-
-
R
What about The Daily Show?
10 17
-
B
lol
2 4
-
-
F
you get better entertainmnt from static than fox news.
3 11
-
G
Your display name shows just how classless and ignorant you are!! Please crawl back under your rock!
3 1
-
F
sorry i don,t support your cult god asshole.go crawl up back his ass boy.
-
P
1
-
F
were you blowing him here poto?
-
-
-
-
-
O
But get most his viewers because Fox viewers can't remember where they left the remotes d can't turn hi. Off
3 12
-
B
Greg Gutfeld has more talent in his left pinky finger than the worthless three non-talents: Steven Colbert and the two loser Jimmys!
8 3
-
-
G
Glad for Colbert's show. He's a hoot!
22 31
-
G
He sucks! Broaden your horizons!
2 2
-
-
G
The fact that Gutfield is so popular, says very little for us as a nation. He is not funny, nor witty, but look who we choose to lead us . . .
3 14
-
G
Gutfeld is the best! You either have sh** for brains or your opinion has been warped by the rhetoric spewed from left-wing media
3 2
-
G
You must live in an alternate universe! Greg Gutfeld is great and the majority of Americans voted for Trump to undo the damage caused by Obama and Biden! Come back to earth!
2 2
-
-
G
I think Gutfield show is awful.
His voice irritates me and also on the Five. He just really is irritating. On the Five he really wants the show all.to himself. Such a Nerd
7 23
-
G
I agree 100%, a little foggy too
4 2
-
C
It’s kind of funny that you know where to watch him, for someone who finds him irritating and you can’t stand his voice, why do you find yourself watching him ??????? You must be a closet conservative 🤣
11 1
-
B
Greg Gutfeld must talk over your head! He is the best and definitely better than the 2 Jimmys and Stevie! They are all sufferers of TDS and you must be too!
9 3
-
G
Have you really watched either show because if you had, you would find out you are wrong!!
2
-
-
B
Gutfeld is disgusting!!!
22 45
-
G
Wrong! The two Jimmys and Stevie are disgusting!
2 1
-
-
B
I'm happy for Colbert. Great monologue everytime. But I'm curious and upset about the fact that 3M americans are watching lies, after lies, after lies, and they just don't mind. NOTHING Gutlfeld says is close to the truth. And I mean, nothing!
He lives in the "maga reality" ; it's like the dark side of humanity.
55 114
-
O
I agree, I only watched 2 shows of Gutifeld just didn’t get it.
7 13
-
G
I’m sorry you are slow!
1 3
-
-
G
Righttttt.. he lies??
And your proof what he says is a lie?
Are you so warped you think truths are now lies?
I realize you were brainwashed and dumber for Having watched mainstream democratic news ..
Those aren't my words a producer writer said it from mainstream media on hidden camera b4 election! Hetes hidden camera on what they really think of tier viewers.
11 8
-
G
It fox that paid out for lying
3 2
-
-
B
Gutted is the best! You should quit drinking the poisonous kool aid of mainstream media!
83 20
-
B
FACTS. They're called facts.
3 3
-
G
Yes and your so-called facts are wrong!!
2 2
-
-
-
C
Americans are increasingly stupid .. no such thing as a fact any more
4 1
-
R
So...on your show...you do what? A complete fact check for everything GG does or says? If so, you must also do the same for the network boys? You must be a fascinating weasel.
5 4
-
G
So people who prefer truth over propaganda are weasel...keep following the orange turd idiot
4 4
-
G
no weasels believe the lies and propaganda of narcissistic morons like the 2 Jimmys and Stevie! You need to come down off your acid trip from 1979 and maybe your brain cells can rejuvenate! Sorry if I am using words way over your head!!
2 2
-
-
-
B
I agree. I have been watching Colbert since I was a teen and he has brought me so much joy for 20+ years. Never even heard of this Gutfeld person, and I am so grateful for that. Anything on Fox is pure poison. I work with the elderly so I take it very personally. Good thing my clients are asleep by the time he comes on. Also Jimmy Kimmel is a great man and a genius, only learning now that he’s underrated.
3 11
-
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services