What are the ratings history for the Jimmy Fallon Tonight Show

Checked on September 22, 2025
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1. Summary of the results

The ratings history for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is complex, with both declines and increases in viewership over the past year [1]. According to the most recent quarterly (Q2 2025) Live+7 ratings, the show averaged 1.188 million total viewers and 157,000 viewers in the 18-49 demo, representing a -2% and -13% change from the previous quarter, respectively [1]. The show's greatest year-over-year losses were down 16% in total viewers and 29% in the demo compared to Q2 2024 [2]. However, in August 2025, the show jumped 17% to 1.330 million viewers, bucking the trend of declining viewership in the late-night slot [3]. The show also scored its biggest audience since 2023 for an episode featuring Greg Gutfeld, with 1.7 million viewers [4]. The ratings history of the show is marked by a strong debut, with 11.3 million viewers and a 3.8 rating in the 18-49 demo, but has experienced a gradual decline after 2015 [5].

  • Key ratings milestones include:
  • Q2 2025: 1.188 million average total viewers and 157,000 viewers in the 18-49 demo [1]
  • August 2025: 1.330 million viewers, up 17% from the previous month [3]
  • Episode featuring Greg Gutfeld: 1.7 million viewers, the highest since December 19, 2023 [4]
  • The show's long-term ratings trajectory is marked by a decline after 2015, with the show falling behind The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel Live! in total viewers and key demos [5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement lacks context regarding the factors contributing to the fluctuations in viewership, such as changes in the show's format, guest lineup, or competition from other late-night shows [2]. Alternative viewpoints, such as the impact of streaming services on traditional television viewership, are not considered [1]. Additionally, the statement does not account for the show's performance in different time slots or its online presence, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of its ratings history [1]. The show's ranking in the 11:35 PM time slot, behind The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, is also an important context to consider [6].

  • Factors to consider:
  • Changes in the show's format or guest lineup [2]
  • Impact of streaming services on traditional television viewership [1]
  • Performance in different time slots or online presence [1]
  • Ranking in the 11:35 PM time slot [6]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be biased towards presenting a negative view of the show's ratings history, as it only mentions the declines in viewership without considering the increases or the show's overall performance [1]. The statement may also be misleading, as it does not provide a comprehensive view of the show's ratings history, including its strong debut and occasional increases in viewership [5]. The sources cited, such as LateNighter and TV Insider, may have their own biases or agendas, which could influence the presentation of the ratings data [3] [4]. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and its production team may benefit from a more nuanced presentation of the show's ratings history, while competitors, such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, may benefit from a more negative portrayal of the show's performance [6].

  • Potential biases:
  • Negative view of the show's ratings history [1]
  • Lack of comprehensive view of the show's ratings history [5]
  • Biases or agendas of the sources cited [3] [4]
  • Beneficiaries:
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: more nuanced presentation of the show's ratings history [6]
  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel Live!: more negative portrayal of the show's performance [6] [1] [2] [5] [3] [1] [4] (p3_s1
Want to dive deeper?
How do Jimmy Fallon's ratings compare to other late-night shows?
What was the peak viewership for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon?
How has Jimmy Fallon's ratings changed since his debut in 2014?
What factors contribute to the fluctuation in Jimmy Fallon's ratings?
How does The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon perform in key demographics?