The final competitive week of 2025 delivered another close showdown in late-night television, with ABC and CBS trading narrow victories across key categories. According to Nielsen Live+3 data cited by industry reports, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel Live! once again finished neck and neck in total viewers, underscoring how competitive the late-night landscape remains heading into the new year.
Colbert edges total viewers, Kimmel wins the demo
For the week of December 14–20, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert averaged 2.34 million total viewers, giving it a slim lead of about 9,000 viewers over Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which averaged 2.33 million. While Colbert held the overall audience crown, his show dipped four percent compared to the previous week.
Kimmel, meanwhile, saw a seven percent increase in total viewers and dominated the key adults 18–49 demographic. Jimmy Kimmel Live! averaged 252,000 viewers in the demo, up 12 percent week over week. By comparison, Colbert averaged 181,000 demo viewers, marking a notable 16 percent decline.
Guest lineups helped fuel competition
Both shows closed the year with high-profile guest rosters. Kimmel welcomed figures from politics, film, and pop culture, including Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Macaulay Culkin, Will Arnett, and Mia Goth. Colbert’s lineup featured Paul Rudd, Hugh Jackman, Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, and musical guest St. Vincent. Industry analysts often note that guest mix can significantly impact late-night ratings, particularly during year-end weeks when casual viewers dip in and out.
Fallon and Meyers see mixed results
NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon finished the week with 1.31 million total viewers, down four percent. However, Fallon saw growth where it mattered most, posting a 17 percent increase in the 18–49 demo, averaging 178,000 viewers. Guests on Fallon’s final week included Timothée Chalamet, Martha Stewart, Finn Wolfhard, and The Duffer Brothers, helping boost younger viewership despite the overall decline.
Late Night with Seth Meyers also ended 2025 on an upswing. The show averaged 963,000 total viewers, up 12 percent, along with 133,000 demo viewers, a nine percent increase. Meyers’ steady growth reflects his strong performance in the post-midnight slot.
Cable late night remains strong
On cable, Fox News’ Gutfeld! continued to dominate the 10 p.m. hour. The show averaged 2.69 million total viewers and 183,000 demo viewers, maintaining its position as the most-watched late-night program on cable. Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live experienced declines, while ABC’s Nightline saw modest gains in both total viewers and the demo during the 12:37 a.m. slot.
What the numbers say heading into 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, the ratings highlight a fragmented but fiercely competitive late-night field. While Colbert remains strong in total viewers and Kimmel continues to win the demo, shifts in audience habits suggest that late-night success increasingly depends on digital reach, guest appeal, and demographic strength rather than raw viewership alone.
