According to LateNighter.com, citing Nielsen Live+3 data for the week of December 14 to 20, The Late Show held a 9,000 viewer lead over Jimmy Kimmel Live! in total viewers. The Late Show averaged 2.34 million viewers (down four per cent on the week prior) compared to Kimmel’s 2.33 million viewers (up seven per cent on the week before).
However, Kimmel led the way in the key adults 18-49 demo, averaging 252,000 viewers (up 12 per cent on the previous week), a significant lead over Colbert’s 181,000 viewers (down 16 per cent on the week prior).
Kimmel’s guests for his final week of 2025 included Michelle Obama, Mia Goth, Will Arnett, Kamala Harris, Macaulay Culkin, and Jason Clarke. Meanwhile, Colbert welcomed Paul Rudd, Lesley Manville, Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, Kumail Nanjiani, St. Vincent, and Hugh Jackman.
NBC’s Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon finished the week with an average of 1.31 million viewers, down four per cent on the week before. However, it rose 17 per cent in the key demo, averaging 178,000 viewers.
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Meanwhile, Late Night with Seth Meyers rose in both viewers and the demo, averaging 963,000 total viewers (up 12 per cent) and 133,000 viewers in the demo (up 9 per cent).
Over on cable, Fox News’ Gutfeld! continued to dominate in the 10 pm slot, with an average of 2.69 million total viewers (down one per cent on the prior week) and 183,000 key demo viewers (flat week-to-week).
Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live averaged 366,000 total viewers (down 13 per cent) in the 10 pm slot and 90,000 adults in the 18–49 demo (down eight per cent).
Finally, ABC’s Nightline saw increases in the 12:37 am slot, with an average of 993,000 viewers (up one per cent) and 132,000 demo viewers (up 18 per cent).
