NBC's THE TONIGHT SHOW Dominates Late Night Timeslot

"The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" has dominated week two of the 2014-15 television season with a +22% gain over "Tonight's" year-ago week in adults 18-49. It's the show's highest week-two rating in five years.

Fallon's 1.09 rating for the week of Sept. 29-Oct. 3 convincingly beat the timeslot competition, delivering a +49% margin over ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (0.73) and a +110% advantage over CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman" (0.52). In total viewers, Fallon's average 3.894 million persons gave him margins of +41% over "Kimmel" (2.767 million) and +48% over "Late Show" (2.623 million).

Note that CBS's Thursday shows were delayed last week by a high-rated NFL overrun. Friday's "Kimmel," "Late Night" and "Last Call" were encores.

Versus last season's week two, "The Tonight Show" grew by +22% in 18-49 rating (to a 1.09 from a 0.89) and by +3% in total viewers (3.894 million vs. 3.780 million). It's "Tonight's" top week-two result in 18-49 since a 1.09 in 2009 and most-watched week two for "Tonight" in six years, since averaging 4.652 million in 2008.

"Late Night with Seth Meyers" tied CBS's "Letterman" last week in adults 18-49 (0.52 rating each), despite starting an hour later. In the 12:35-1:35 a.m. ET hour, Meyers delivered bigger audiences than CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" in every key measure - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers. Meyers also prevailed versus ABC's "Nightline" in their head-to-head half-hour from 12:30-1 a.m. in every key category.

In the season's second week, Meyers grew versus premiere week by +6% in 18-49 rating (to a 0.52 from a 0.49) and was up +9% in total viewers (1.626 million vs. 1.498 million).

At 1:35 a.m. ET, "Last Call with Carson Daly" tied CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" in 18-49 rating (0.34 rating each), despite starting an hour later.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."

WEEKLY AVERAGES
(According to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research for the week of Sept. 29-Oct. 3. Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day.")

ADULTS 18-49

11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. ET
NBC "Tonight" 1.09 rating, 5 share
CBS "Late Show," 0.52/3 *
ABC "Kimmel," 0.73/3 *

12:35-1:05 a.m. ET
ABC "Nightline," 0.47/3

12:35-1:35 a.m. ET
NBC "Late Night," 0.52/3 *
CBS "Late Late Show," 0.34/2 *

1:35-2:05 a.m. ET
NBC "Last Call," 0.34/3 *

TOTAL VIEWERS

11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. ET
NBC "Tonight," 3.894 million viewers
CBS "Late Show," 2.623 million viewers *
ABC "Kimmel," 2.767 million viewers *

12:35-1:05 a.m. ET
ABC "Nightline," 1.726 million viewers

12:35-1:35 a.m. ET
NBC "Late Night," 1.626 million viewers *
CBS "Late Late Show," 1.319 million viewers *

1:35-2:05 a.m. ET
NBC "Last Call," 0.947 million viewers *

* CBS Thursday shows were delayed by an NFL overrun. Friday's "Kimmel," "Late Night" and "Last Call" were encores.

SEASON AVERAGES

ADULTS 18-49

11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. ET
NBC "Tonight," 1.09 rating, 5 share
CBS "Late Show," 0.55/3
ABC "Kimmel," 0.71/3

12:35-1:05 a.m. ET
ABC "Nightline," 0.45/3

12:35-1:35 a.m. ET
NBC "Late Night," 0.51/3
CBS "Late Late Show," 0.37/2

1:35-2:05 a.m. ET
NBC "Last Call," 0.32/3

TOTAL VIEWERS

11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. ET
NBC "Tonight," 3.883 million viewers
CBS "Late Show," 2.682 million viewers
ABC "Kimmel," 2.829 million viewers

12:35-1:05 a.m. ET
ABC "Nightline," 1.753 million viewers

12:35-1:35 a.m. ET
NBC "Late Night," 1.562 million viewers
CBS "Late Late Show," 1.412 million viewers

1:35-2:05 a.m. ET
NBC "Last Call," 0.886 million viewers

SELECTED CABLE RESULTS, WEEK OF SEPT. 29-OCT. 3

NATIONAL ADULT 18-49 RATING

Comedy Central, 11-11:30 p.m. ET, "The Daily Show," 0.65
Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m.-midnight ET, "The Colbert Report," 0.52

TBS, 11 p.m.-midnight, "Conan," 0.44 **

Adult Swim, 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. ET, 0.85
Adult Swim, 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET, 0.68

Each adult 18-49 rating point equals 1.27 million viewers.

TOTAL VIEWERS
Comedy Central, 11-11:30 p.m. "The Daily Show," 1.528 million
Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m.-midnight ET, "The Colbert Report," 1.209 million

TBS, 11 p.m.-midnight, "Conan," 0.945 million **

Adult Swim, 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. ET, 1.802 million viewers
Adult Swim, 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET, 1.357 million viewers

** Tuesday and Thursday "Conan" telecasts were delayed by baseball overruns and are excluded.

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