Late Night Ratings: Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Note: LateNighter generally posts late night daily ratings on a two (business) day delay, which is how they are released by Nielsen.

CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was the top-rated late night offering this past Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The show’s margin of victory in total viewers was substantial, per usual. That wasn’t the case among Adults 18-49, however, as Late Show edged the second place finisher by only +1,000 viewers in the measurement.

Per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, The Late Show averaged 1,868,000 total viewers and 256,000 P18-49 viewers on May 8 at 11:35 p.m. That’s -10% in total viewers but +16% in P18-49 compared to the day before (Tuesday, May 7); -2% in total viewers and +5% in P18-49 from the previous Wednesday’s episode (May 1, 2024). ) Jen Psaki was Colbert’s guest on May 8. Elyanna performed.

NBC’s late-night offerings continue to perform well on Wednesdays. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon averaged 1,641,000 total linear viewers and 255,000 P18-49 viewers on May 8. That’s +47% and +36%, respectively, from the day before; +19% and +2%, respectively, from the previous Wednesday. Whoopi Goldberg, and Gracie Abrams were Fallon’s guests on the Wednesday, May 8 broadcast.

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! averaged 1,492,000 total viewers with 238,000 P18-49 viewers at 11:35 p.m. on Wednesday. That’s -11% in total viewers, but +10% in P18-49 viewers from the day before; -10% in total viewers and +16% in P18-49 from the Wednesday before. David Beckham, and Chris Perfetti were Kimmel’s guests on Wednesday, May 8. Cage the Elephant performed.

NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers won the 12:35 a.m. timeslot, having averaged 1,057,000 total viewers and 166,000 P18-49 viewers at 12:36 a.m. The program gained +50% in total viewers and +18% in P18-49 viewers from the day before; +11% in total viewers but -11% in P18-49 relative to the previous Wednesday. Jennifer Connell was Meyers’ guest on Wednesday, May 8. Indigo Girls was the musical guest. Jay Weinberg sat in with the 8G Band.

CBS’ After Midnight averaged 617,000 total viewers with 127,000 P18-49 viewers at 12:37 a.m. That’s -1% in total viewers but +31% in P18-49 viewers from the day before; +2% in total viewers but -4% in P18-49 from the previous Wednesday episode, which was a repeat. Hannah Berner, Brandon Kyle Goodman, and Heather McMahan appeared on the Taylor Tomlinson-led program this past Wednesday.

The Wednesday, May 8 edition of Nightline averaged 830,000 total viewers and 127,000 P18-49 viewers at 12:37 a.m. on ABC. That’s -9% in total viewers and -22% in P18-49 viewers from a highly-rated previous day; -9% in total viewers but +2% in P18-49 versus the previous Wednesday’s broadcast.

Comedy Central’s The Daily Show was guest-hosted by Jordan Klepper this past Wednesday, and the episode averaged 461,000 total viewers and 108,000 P18-49 viewers at 11 p.m., per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. That’s up +7% in total viewers, but -16% in P18-49 from the day before. Compared to the most recent Wednesday episode (April 24, co-hosted by Klepper and Ronny Chieng), Daily Show gained +16% in total viewers and +50% in P18-49. Matt Damon was Klepper’s guest on the May 8 Daily Show.

Live+SD ratings (18-49 demo only)

Live+SD ratings (All Viewers 2+)

© The Nielsen Company, used under license.