Colbert Dominates Late-Night Ratings Over Rivals Kimmel and Fallon

NEW YORK, NY — Stephen Colbert continues to reign over the late-night television landscape, outpacing rivals Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon in viewership through 2024 and into 2025. According to recently released data, ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ averaged 2,568,000 viewers last year, a significant lead over Kimmel’s 1,773,000 and Fallon’s 1,373,000.

As of early 2025, Colbert’s show maintains an average audience nearly at the 2 million mark, while Kimmel and Fallon struggle to regain their former popularity. Notably, Colbert’s ratings have been bolstered by a loyal younger demographic, declining only minimally in the 18-49 age group last year. In contrast, Kimmel faced a 12% drop, while Fallon experienced a 16% decline in the same demographic.

Colbert’s social media presence also plays a critical role in his success. His monologues average over 2 million views online, far outstripping most competitors, apart from Kimmel, who also shows a strong performance on social platforms. This significant online engagement suggests that Colbert successfully bridges traditional and digital media, attracting a diverse audience.

Industry experts suggest that Colbert’s triumph is not solely due to his programming’s quality but may also relate to growing public dissatisfaction with his rivals. Kimmel and Fallon, once frequent ratings leaders, have seen their entertainment value questioned amid concerns over repetitive segments and political humor.

Former SNL cast member Seth Meyers finds himself at a disadvantage, as his show airs later in the night. Despite winning acclaim for his content, he remains outside the top-tier competition for viewership. This emphasizes the fact that timing and slot positioning significantly impact late-night success.

Colbert’s light-hearted approach, juxtaposed with current events, appears to resonate more favorably with audiences. Critics have pointed out that Fallon has faced scrutiny for unprofessional behavior and a reliance on overused gimmicks, further alienating some viewers. Kimmel, meanwhile, has struggled with public backlash against certain sketches deemed offensive.

While Colbert enjoys this lead, the late-night arena remains competitive. Kimmel and Fallon have substantial social media followings that can attract viewers, but traditional cable ratings carry more weight in assessing television success. Detractors may point to current socio-political climates influencing viewer preferences, as audiences seem to favor Colbert’s blend of humor and timely commentary.

The coming months will test Colbert’s dominance. Whether Kimmel and Fallon can reclaim their footing as contenders in this evolving landscape hinged upon audience taste is yet to be seen. For now, ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ continues to be a leading choice in late-night programming, available for streaming on CBS in the U.S.