Letterman’s ‘Late Show’ hits largest fourth qtr margin

0

“The Late Late Show” Delivers Largest Fourth Quarter Audience Since 2006 and First Win Over “Late Night” in Viewers and Adults 25-54


CBS’s LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN scored its largest fourth quarter margin of victory over “The Tonight Show,” while THE LATE LATE SHOW delivered its largest fourth quarter audience ever, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings through the week ending Dec. 25.

Season-to-date and in the fourth quarter of 2009, LATE SHOW is averaging 3.0/08 in households, 4.22 million viewers, 1.4/06 in adults 25-54 and 1.0/04 in adults 18-49.  
 
LATE SHOW improved its competitive position against “The Tonight Show” compared to a year ago.  CBS leads NBC by +67% in households this season (3.0/08 vs. 1.8/05) compared to trailing by -20% last year (2.8/07 vs. 3.5/09).  In viewers, LATE SHOW has a +65% advantage (4.22m vs. 2.55m) compared to trailing by -20% last year (4.00m vs. 5.03m).  In adults 25-54, LATE SHOW enjoys a +17% advantage in 2009 (1.4/06 vs. 1.2/05) compared to    -18% in 2008 (1.4/06 from 1.7/07).  In adults 18-49 season-to-date, LATE SHOW and “Tonight” are tied (1.0/04, each) compared to 2008 when LATE SHOW trailed by -15% (1.1/05 vs. 1.3/05).
 
LATE SHOW posted its largest fourth Quarter margin of victory ever over “The Tonight Show” in both households (+1.2 rating pts) and viewers (+1.67m), its largest margin of victory in adults 25-54 since 1994 and was in its most competitive position in adults 18-49 since 1994. 
  
 Season-to-date and in the fourth quarter of 2009, LATE LATE SHOW is averaging 1.4/05 in households, 1.95 million viewers, 0.8/04 in adults 25-54, 0.6/04 in  adults 18-49 and 0.4/03 in adults 18-34.  This is LATE LATE SHOW’s largest fourth quarter audience since 2006.
 
LATE LATE SHOW improved its season-to-date and fourth quarter 2009 competitive position against “Late Night” compared to last year.  CBS leads NBC by +40% in households this season (1.4/05 vs. 1.0/04) compared to trailing by -7% last season (1.4/05 vs. 1.5/05, with Conan O’Brien hosting).  LATE LATE SHOW has a +39% advantage in viewers (1.95m vs. 1.40m) compared to trailing by -4% last year (1.91m vs. 1.98m).  In adults 25-54, LATE SHOW leads “Late Night” by +14% (0.8/04 vs. 0.7/04) compared to being tied last year (0.8/04 vs. 0.8/05).  In adults 18-49, LATE LATE SHOW and “Late Night” are tied (0.6/04 vs. 0.6/03). CBS trailed NBC by -25% in adults 18-49 (0.6/03 vs. 0.8/04).

LATE LATE SHOW posted its first-ever fourth quarter victory over “Late Night” in households (+0.4 rating pts), viewers (+550,000) and adults 25-54 (+0.1) and was in its most competitive position in adults 18-49 (tied) ever.

(source: data and information provided by CBS)