Late-Night Ratings Shifted During 2025-26 Season
Nielsen data revealed a volatile year for late-night television viewership across the United States.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Television
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Nielsen data for the 2025-26 television season showed significant shifts in late-night viewership. While Jimmy Kimmel Live! saw notable growth, other programs like Gutfeld! experienced double-digit declines.
Why it matters
Understanding these shifts highlights changing viewer habits and preferences in the late-night landscape. These ratings provide insight into which programs are successfully capturing audience attention in an increasingly fragmented market.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! averaged 2.52 million total viewers, while Gutfeld! led the pack with 3.01 million. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert averaged 2.88 million viewers, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon averaged 1.39 million.
The players
Jimmy Kimmel
He is a long-time television host known for his late-night talk show on ABC.
Stephen Colbert
He is a prominent comedian and host who concluded his long-running tenure at The Late Show in May 2026.
Andy Cohen
He is a television personality and producer known for his late-night talk series on Bravo.
The details
The 2025-26 season showcased a stark contrast between programs, with Jimmy Kimmel Live! recording a 36 percent increase in total viewers and 33 percent growth in the 18-49 demographic. Conversely, Gutfeld! saw a 13 percent drop in total viewers and a 23 percent decrease in the 18-49 demographic, while Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen also declined in both metrics.
Timeline
September 2025: Jimmy Kimmel returned to his program after a temporary suspension.
September 2025 - May 2026: The television season duration for measured ratings.
May 2026: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired its final episode.
Industry Dynamics
The late-night sector is experiencing a period of adjustment as traditional linear television faces increased competition from streaming and digital platforms. This year shows a divergence in fortunes, where established franchises must pivot to maintain audience relevance against shifting demographic trends.
Viewers may notice changes in programming schedules or content focus as networks adjust to these shifting viewership numbers. Audience members should check local listings to confirm time slots for their preferred late-night programs following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
The takeaway
The latest ratings indicate that audience loyalty in late-night television is highly fluid and dependent on host engagement. Viewers interested in following the industry should track mid-season adjustments to see how networks respond to these performance gaps.
Further reading
For more on the changing landscape of cable and broadcast programming, visit our Television section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TV Insider.
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