“COLBERT” TAKES SEASON CROWN IN VIEWERS AND 18-49 VIEWERS

Special “Big Bang Theory” Episode on Thursday, May 16

Attracts 5.76 Million Viewers – Third-Largest Audience in Show’s History

During the final week of the 2018-2019 broadcast season (week #34), THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT (3.85m) beat both “The Tonight Show” (2.27m) and “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (1.67m) and was the only late night show up year-over-year versus the same week in 2017-2018. Source: Nielsen live plus 3-day ratings for week ending Friday, May 17.

With 3-day lift, THE LATE SHOW improved its advantage over “Tonight” to +1.58 milliono viewers after leading by +1 million with same day viewers. THE LATE SHOW delivered its largest weekly audience since the week ending Feb. 22. THE LATE SHOW also took the weekly crown in adults 25-54 (0.8) and adults 18-49 (0.5)

On Thursday, May 16, a special BIG BANG THEORY farewell-themed episode delivered 5.76 million viewers, 1.2 in adults 25-54 and 0.8 in adults 18-49. This was the largest audience for any weeknight this season, the third-best night in the show’s history, and best Thursday viewer delivery ever. In key demos, THE LATE SHOW posted best adults 25-54 and adults 18-49 delivery for any night in the 2018-19 season.

Season-to-date, THE LATE SHOW (3.82m) leads “The Tonight Show” (2.44m) and “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (2.04m) by more than one-million viewers, beats “The Tonight Show” in adults 25-54 (0.8/04 vs. 0.7/04) and tied for first in adults 18-49 (0.5/04). LATE SHOW beats “Tonight” in adults 18-49 audience (679,000 vs. 659,000). Source: Nielsen, live plus 7-day ratings (9/24/18-5/10/19), live plus 3-day ratings (5/13/19-5/17/19).

With this win, THE LATE SHOW has been the most-watched program in late night every first-run week this season.

Follow us on Twitter: @NotesForNerds and @ColbertLateShow

Watch THE LATE SHOW clips at: http://www.youtube.com/ColbertLateShow

* * *

Press Contacts: