Top Late-Night Talk Shows and Viewership Trends

Want to know which late-night talk shows are dominating TV? We’ve ranked the top shows and analysed their viewership trends to predict the future of late-night television.

The Changing Landscape of US Talk Shows: What’s Next for Late-Night TV?

As the way we consume media continues to change, so too does the world of late-night talk shows. At Betway, we’ve taken a deep dive into the latest viewership data to reveal how some of the top US talk shows are performing, and what we can expect for the future.

The recent end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert marked a significant shift for late-night TV. Colbert’s show had been a staple of American television, attracting millions of loyal viewers. However, in its final season, the show averaged 2.42 million viewers, down from 3.6 million in 2019/2020.

Despite the dynamic changes in how people consume media today, many talk shows are maintaining, and even growing their audiences. Based on our research one standout is FOX’s Gutfeld! which has seen an impressive 32% increase in viewership since its rebranding in 2021, reaching 3.3 million viewers in the 2024/25 season. Projections suggest this growth will continue, with estimated audiences exceeding 4 million by 2030.

Similarly, Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC continues to hold a strong position with a loyal viewership averaging 1.77 million, showing the show’s ability to connect with audiences consistently.

Talk Show Viewership Trends and Projections (in millions)

Based on our research, Gutfeld! on FOX has experienced impressive growth. Since its rebranding in 2021, the show has seen a 32% increase in viewership, reaching 3.3 million viewers in the 2024/2025 season. Projections suggest that Gutfeld! could exceed 4 million viewers by 2030, continuing its rise in the late-night landscape.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC remains steady with an average of 1.77 million viewers. While its audience has dropped slightly by 10% over the past few years, it continues to hold strong with loyal viewers, showcasing the enduring appeal of traditional late-night formats. Other shows like The Late Late Show and Conan have struggled in recent years. The Late Late Show saw its viewership drop significantly, and Conan ended its run with much lower numbers than in its earlier years.

Worth noting that the networks behind these late-night shows (CBS, FOX, ABC, and NBC) each play a critical role in shaping the landscape. While CBS has seen The Late Show and The Late Late Show make up a significant part of their late-night offering, FOX’s success with Gutfeld! shows how a rebranding and a shift in format can reinvigorate a late-night slot. Meanwhile, NBC and ABC continue to rely on established brands like The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, proving that while newer shows are gaining momentum, traditional formats still have a strong place on network TV.

Despite the rise of streaming and digital platforms, talk shows continue to be a key part of the American TV landscape. Their unique mix of humour, celebrity interviews, and cultural commentary still resonates deeply with viewers, and they’re likely to remain an important part of TV for years to come.

Methodology

Our research compiled average viewership figures from trusted sources including Forbes, The Telegraph, FOX, and Deadline, with support from Google Gemini. We calculated the percentage change in viewership over recent seasons and used this data to forecast audience sizes through to 2030.

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