Not even a press release from NBC touting “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” was capable of ignoring the fact that “The Late Show with David Letterman” has assumed a sizable viewership lead in the late-night ratings battle.
For the week July 6-10, 2009, “Letterman” averaged 3.7 million viewers while “Conan” posted 2.8 million. NBC was quick to note, however, that Conan dominates in key demographics–he leads 1.1 to .8 in adults 18-49 and is doubling Letterman in 18-34. It also noted that “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” which was in re-runs for the week, still managed to top “Letterman,” which aired original episodes an hour earlier.
Of course, neither “Letterman” nor “Conan” is winning the overall late night battle in total viewers–that honor belongs to ABC’s “Nightline,” which averaged 3.8 million viewers for the week (“Conan” still leads in adults 18-49).
The full ratings breakdown from NBC:
ADULTS 18-49
11:35 p.m. ET
NBC “Tonight,” 1.1 rating, 5 share
CBS “Late Show,” 0.8/4
ABC “Nightline,” 1.0/4
12:05 a.m. ET
ABC “Kimmel,” 0.4/2 (in encore telecasts)
12:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Late Night,” 0.5/3 (in encore telecasts)
CBS “Late Late Show,” 0.4/3
1:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Last Call,” 0.3/2 (in encore telecasts)
TOTAL VIEWERS
11:35 p.m. ET
NBC “Tonight,” 2.8 million viewers
CBS “Late Show,” 3.7 million viewers
ABC “Nightline,” 3.8 million viewers
12:05 a.m. ET
ABC “Kimmel,” 1.3 million viewers (in encore telecasts)
12:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Late Night,” 1.3 million viewers (in encore telecasts)
CBS “Late Late Show,” 1.6 million viewers
1:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Last Call,” 0.8 million viewers (in encore telecasts)
SEASON TO DATE
ADULTS 18-49
11:35 p.m. ET
NBC “Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” 1.8/7
CBS “Late Show,” 1.0/4
ABC “Nightline,” 1.1/4
12:05 a.m. ET
ABC “Kimmel,” 0.6/3
12:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” 0.8/5
CBS “Late Late Show,” 0.6/3
1:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Last Call,” 0.5/3
TOTAL VIEWERS
11:35 p.m. ET
NBC “Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” 4.5 million viewers
CBS “Late Show,” 3.8 million viewers
ABC “Nightline,” 3.8 million viewers
12:05 a.m. ET
ABC “Kimmel,” 1.7 million viewers
12:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” 2.1 million viewers
CBS “Late Late Show,” 1.9 million viewers
1:35 a.m. ET
NBC “Last Call,” 1.1 million viewers
SELECTED CABLE RESULTS, WEEK OF JULY 6-10
NATIONAL ADULT 18-49 RATING
Comedy Central, 11 p.m. ET, “The Daily Show,” 0.5
Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m. ET, “The Colbert Report,” 0.4
Adult Swim, 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. ET, 0.8
Adult Swim, 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET, 0.5
Each adult 18-49 rating point equals 1.32 million viewers
TOTAL VIEWERS
Comedy Central, 11 p.m. ET, “The Daily Show,” 1.1 million
Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m. ET, “The Colbert Report,” 0.8 million
Adult Swim, 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. ET, 2.1 million
Adult Swim, 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET, 1.2 million
