The debut episode of “Late Night with Seth Meyers” delivered the series’ highest rating on a Monday in nine years, according to early numbers.
Monday’s debut averaged a 2.6 rating/9 share in household results from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research, a very preliminary measurement. More reliable numbers will be reported later. The 2.6 topped the combined ratings in the time slot of ABC’s “Nightline” and CBS’s “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”
Monday’s “Late Night” featured Amy Poehler, Vice President Joe Biden and musical guest A Great Big World. Tuesday’s telecast is scheduled to include Kanye West, Russell Wilson and writer Robyn Doolittle.
See video: Seth Meyers Goes for Craftsmanship Over Flash in ‘Late Night’ Debut
The “Late Night” lead-in, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” also had a strong night, despite losing the key Sochi Games lead-in that it enjoyed in its debut week.
The Feb. 24 telecast of “Tonight” had the franchise’s highest-rated Monday show — excluding Olympic nights — in four years (since March 1, 2010, the night of Jay Leno’s return, 5.4), pulling in a 4.5/12 per the very early data. ”Tonight” topped the combined metered-market household rating in the time period of CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman” and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
Monday’s “Tonight Show” featured Reese Witherspoon, Fred Armisen and musical guest Rick Ross with The Roots. Tuesday’s telecast is scheduled to include Paul Rudd, Shaquille O’Neal and Hannibal Buress.
This post will be updated when more reliable ratings data becomes available later on Tuesday morning.
The post Early Ratings: Seth Meyers’ ‘Late Night’ Scores Biggest Monday in 9 Years, Jimmy Fallon Holds Strong appeared first on TheWrap.
Seth Meyers on 'Late Night' vs. 'SNL': 'Craziest Thing Is Just Having to Be on Camera More'
How Fallon's 'Tonight Show' Debut Week Ratings Stack Up to Kimmel, O'Brien and Leno
Seth Meyers' 'SNL' Castmates Bid Funny Farewell to the New 'Late Night' Host (Video)