Photos: Randy Holmes/Disney, Scott Kowalchyk/CBS, Todd Owyoung/NBC
Late-night rankings were largely unchanged in the fourth quarter of 2025, but several shows posted notable gains—led by ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which delivered the most impressive quarter-over-quarter growth across the broadcast field.
Averaging 2.38 million total viewers across 38 first-run episodes, JKL jumped 29 percent from Q3, aided by a mix of heightened visibility following Kimmel’s brief September suspension and multiple high-rated Monday Night Football lead-ins.
The growth narrowed the gap with longtime 11:35 PM leader The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which remained the most-watched program in the time slot despite a modest decline.
Colbert averaged 2.69 million total viewers across 37 original episodes, down 5 percent quarter over quarter but still enough to maintain its overall lead.
In the key adults 18–49 demographic, however, Kimmel moved into first place. The ABC series averaged 271,000 viewers in the demo, up 12 percent from Q3, while Colbert slipped to 226,000, a 13 percent decline.
NBC’s Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon ranked third at 11:35 PM but also posted gains, rising 8 percent in total viewers to 1.33 million and climbing 18 percent in the demo to 200,000—its strongest quarter-over-quarter improvement among adults 18–49 in more than a year.
At 12:37 AM, NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers averaged 967,000 total viewers and 131,000 adults 18–49 across 39 first-run episodes.
ABC’s Nightline closed the gap in total viewers, averaging 970,000 across 49 episodes, though Meyers maintained a clear advantage in the demo, where Nightline averaged 124,000.
Elsewhere in late night:
Fox News’s Gutfeld!, which airs at 10 PM ET / 7 PM PT, averaged 2.86 million total viewers and 200,000 in the demo across 58 first-run episodes, declining 11 percent and 13 percent, respectively.
Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen posted the largest percentage gains of the quarter, averaging 362,000 total viewers (up 27 percent) and 96,000 adults 18–49 (up 55 percent).
Comedy Central’s The Daily Show averaged 899,000 total viewers and 188,000 in the demo across 34 first-run episodes, down 11 percent and 9 percent, respectively.
Year Over Year
Compared with the same period in 2024, total late-night viewership across shows tracked by LateNighter declined 3 percent, while viewing among adults 18–49 fell 16 percent.
Only two programs posted year-over-year gains in both measures: Jimmy Kimmel Live! (+17 percent in total viewers, +10 percent in the demo) and The Daily Show (+4 percent, +2 percent).
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert grew 4 percent year over year in total viewers but declined 28 percent in the demo.
All other nightly programs tracked lost audience across both measures compared with Q4 2024, including The Tonight Show, Late Night, Nightline, Watch What Happens Live, and Gutfeld!.
Complete Q4 2025 ratings charts follow below.
Note: Quarterly ratings averages include only first-run episodes (rebroadcasts and specials are excluded). Time period listed is most common airtime for show.
Live+7 Ratings – All Viewers (P2+)
(%)Avg Viewers
(000s)Vs
Last Qtr
48 First-run episodes
58 First-run episodes
34 First-run episodes
38 First-run episodes
37 First-run episodes
42 First-run episodes
49 First-run episodes
39 First-run episodes
† = airs at 7pm PT, * = 30-minute program
Live+7 Ratings – In the Demo (P18-49)
(%)Avg Viewers
(000s)Vs
Last Qtr
48 First-run episodes
58 First-run episodes
34 First-run episodes
38 First-run episodes
37 First-run episodes
42 First-run episodes
49 First-run episodes
39 First-run episodes
† = airs at 7pm PT, * = 30-minute program
Ratings data © The Nielsen Company, used under license.