Fact check: How do 2025 late-night TV show ratings compare to 2024?

1. Summary of the results

The 2025 late-night TV show ratings have seen a mix of trends compared to 2024, with some shows experiencing declines and others seeing growth ^[1]. Gutfeld! has been a notable exception, with a 31.5% increase in total viewers and a 24% increase in the demo, making it the only show to grow its audience across both key metrics ^[1]. In contrast, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has seen significant declines, with its 2025 average viewership of 1.6 million being down 37% compared to 2015 totals ^{[2] [3]}. The show's audience among the advertiser-coveted demographic of adults, ages 25-54, has plummeted 72% over the same period ^[3]. Aggregate linear late-night viewership has also declined, with a 9% year-over-year decrease among total viewers and a 21% decrease in the demo, excluding Gutfeld! ^[1]. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon has sustained the greatest losses, down 16% among total viewers and 29% among viewers aged 18-49 ^[1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some key context missing from the original statement includes the fact that late-night TV shows are facing significant challenges, including declining ratings and ad revenue, with advertiser spending on late-night shows on linear broadcasts across ABC, CBS, and NBC dropping to $221 million in 2024, down from $439 million in 2018 ^[4]. Additionally, the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! by ABC has been seen as a sign of the fragile state of late-night TV, with hosts coming under increasing pressure from Trump and his allies in government, and networks grappling with declining ratings and local broadcast stations wielding their power ^[4]. Alternative viewpoints on the matter include the idea that late-night shows still maintain cultural appeal and serve as branding vehicles for networks and advertisers, despite their declining ratings ^[4]. It is also worth noting that Gutfeld! has been outperforming Jimmy Kimmel Live! in terms of total viewers and demographic ratings, with Gutfeld! averaging 3.2 million total viewers in 2025, outperforming Kimmel's average audience by 107% ^[2].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be lacking in context, as it does not provide a comprehensive view of the late-night TV landscape, including the declines in ratings and ad revenue, as well as the challenges faced by hosts and networks ^{[1] [4]}. Additionally, the statement may be biased towards a particular narrative, as it does not provide a balanced view of the trends and challenges in the late-night TV industry, and instead focuses on the declines in ratings without providing context on the underlying factors driving these trends ^{[1] [2] [3]}. The sources themselves may also have different biases and agendas, with some sources, such as Fox News, having a more conservative perspective, and others, such as Business Insider, having a more liberal perspective ^{[3] [4]}. Gutfeld! and its parent network, Fox News, may benefit from the framing of the original statement, as it highlights the show's growth and success in a declining market ^{[1] [2]}. On the other hand, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and its parent network, ABC, may be negatively impacted by the statement, as it emphasizes the show's declines and suspension ^{[2] [3]}.