While the numbers will change slightly once Nielsen accounts for late-running post-game coverage in the Boston market, the adults 18-49 rating and viewership average paint a favorable picture of NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
The broadcast, which commenced at 12:13AM ET, drew a 3.6 adults 18-49 rating and 9.83 million viewers. As far as “Fallon” goes, the performance is second only to that achieved by the February 2014 series premiere (3.8 rating, 11.33 million viewers).
Dating back to the 1987 introduction of Nielsen People Meters, Sunday’s special “Tonight Show” ranks as the most-watched post-Super Bowl talk show broadcast. Its adults 18-49 rating is the second best of all-time; only the January 1998 “Tonight Show” (4.2) fared better.
Sunday’s “Tonight” featured guests Kevin Hart, Will Ferrell, Drew Barrymore, Danny Amendola, Brandon LaFell, LeGarrette Blount and Ariana Grande. A pre-recorded rendition of “We are the Champions” featuring Carrie Underwood, Sam Smith, Ariana Grande, Blake Shelton, Usher, Meghan Trainor, One Direction and Christina Aguilera also aired.
