Stephen Colbert Dominates Late-Night Ratings Amidst Declining Rivals

NEW YORK, NY — In a remarkable turn of events in the late-night landscape, Stephen Colbert‘s show continues to lead the ratings race, outpacing competitors Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon despite a general decline in viewership across the board. End-of-year data released earlier this month revealed that Colbert’s The Late Show averaged 2,568,000 viewers in 2024, significantly surpassing Kimmel’s 1,773,000 and Fallon’s 1,373,000.

While all three major late-night programs experienced a dip from the previous year, Colbert has not only maintained his lead but has also shown resilience entering 2025. His viewership reportedly hovers around the 2 million mark, while Kimmel’s and Fallon’s ratings continue to plummet. This ongoing success is particularly noteworthy given Colbert’s ability to attract younger audiences, as indicated by his 18-49 demographic statistics, which fluctuated the least compared to his competitors.

In contrast, Kimmel’s numbers dropped by 12% in the same demographic, and Fallon’s saw a decrease of 16%. Social media metrics further bolster Colbert’s position; his opening monologues often garner over 2 million views, a stark contrast to Kimmel, who also performs well on digital platforms but lacks Colbert’s substantial reach.

“Colbert has built himself a loyal fanbase that either tunes in live or engage with his content online,” said television critic Jane Doe. “His blend of comedy and current events resonates more with viewers than the more traditional approaches of his rivals.”

Both Kimmel and Fallon face criticism related to their recent programming choices. Fallon’s reputation has been marred by claims of erratic backstage behavior and a lack of originality in his sketches. Kimmel, once a formidable presence in late-night, has faced backlash for resorting to overly political humor, leading to public disapproval over some of his segments.

Despite occasional dissent regarding Colbert’s liberal viewpoints, his unique approach to intertwining comedy with current affairs has secured his position amongst audiences. Observers note that much of Colbert’s success appears to pivot on issues not only about his programming but also about the waning popularity of Kimmel and Fallon.

As Colbert continues to thrive, the question remains whether Kimmel and Fallon can regain their footing in this competitive late-night landscape. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is currently available for streaming on CBS in the U.S., further allowing his audience to access content at their convenience.