The late-night TV landscape is ever-evolving, and 2025 brought some surprising shifts in ratings. Here's a breakdown of the winners and losers, with a twist of controversy and a dash of insight.
The Rising Star: Jimmy Kimmel Live!
ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! shone brightly in 2025, attracting 2,013 million viewers (a 14% increase from 2024) and 230,000 demo viewers (up 4%). This surge in popularity is particularly notable after Kimmel's temporary suspension in September for controversial comments about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. His return sparked a viewership boost, proving his enduring appeal.
The Late Show's Decline: A Final Episode?
CBS's The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a fixture in late-night TV, faced a decline. Aired until May 2026, the show averaged 2,545 million viewers (down 1% from 2024) and 229,000 demo viewers (a 19% drop). The final episode announcement might have contributed to this dip, leaving fans with a bittersweet feeling.
The Tonight Show's Struggles: A Slipping Demo
NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon also witnessed a decline, averaging 1,319 million viewers (down 4% from 2024) and 183,000 demo viewers (a 17% drop). The show's ratings have been on a downward trend, prompting questions about its future direction.
Gutfeld! Wins at 10 PM: Cable vs. Broadcast
Fox News' Gutfeld! emerged as a surprise winner at 10 PM, averaging 3,336 million viewers (a 21% increase from 2024) and 246,000 demo viewers (up 2%). This is impressive considering Gutfeld! airs on cable, while its competitors air on broadcast networks. The show's ability to attract viewers despite the platform difference is a testament to its strength.
The Daily Show's Slight Dip
In the 11 PM slot, The Daily Show averaged 931,000 viewers (down 12% from 2024) and 204,000 demo viewers (up 4%). While the overall viewership decline is modest, the slight increase in the demo suggests a dedicated audience.
Late Night with Seth Meyers: A Slipping Demo
NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers saw a decline, averaging 945,000 viewers (down 5% from 2024) and 123,000 demo viewers (a 19% drop). The show's ratings have been on a downward trend, prompting questions about its future direction.
Nightline's Mixed Results
ABC's Nightline finished the year with an average of 898,000 viewers (up 4%) and 108,000 demo viewers (down 14%). The show's viewership increased, but the demo numbers decreased, indicating a shift in audience demographics.
After Midnight's Final Season
CBS's After Midnight, which ended its two-season run in June 2025, averaged 660,000 viewers (down 8%) and 90,000 demo viewers (a 42% drop). The show's conclusion might have contributed to the decline in ratings, leaving a void in the late-night landscape.
The Methodology Mystery
Nielsen's recent change in rating methodology could be a factor in these fluctuations. The new approach might skew year-over-year comparisons, making it challenging to pinpoint exact trends. This change adds an element of complexity to the analysis, leaving us with more questions than answers.
