Stephen Colbert's departure from CBS's The Late Show last month has sent shockwaves through the US late-night television landscape, with rivals Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon reaping the benefits. According to industry data, both ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! and NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon have recorded notable upticks in viewership since Colbert's final episode aired. The shift marks the end of an era for CBS, which had relied on Colbert's sharp political satire and celebrity interviews to dominate the 11:35pm timeslot.
Colbert, who took over from David Letterman in 2015, built a loyal audience with his blend of news commentary and comedy, particularly during the Trump and Biden presidencies. His show regularly outperformed Kimmel and Fallon in total viewers and the key 18–49 demographic. However, with Colbert gone, many of those viewers appear to have migrated to rival networks rather than sticking with CBS's interim programming, which has struggled to maintain momentum.
For British audiences, the shake-up has practical implications. All three shows are available in the UK: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was previously carried by Sky Comedy, while Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show air on ITV2 and Sky Max respectively, with episodes also streaming on ITVX, Sky's on-demand service, and YouTube. The shifting ratings battle may influence which shows UK broadcasters prioritise for scheduling or acquisition deals.
The late-night genre has faced broader challenges in the streaming age, with younger viewers increasingly turning to clips on social media rather than watching full episodes live. However, the immediate post-Colbert vacuum demonstrates that host loyalty remains a powerful draw. CBS has yet to announce a permanent replacement for Colbert, with speculation centring on comedians such as Taylor Tomlinson or Amber Ruffin, both of whom have existing relationships with the network.
Industry analysts note that the winner in this realignment may ultimately be streaming platforms, as viewers sample multiple shows across different services. For now, Kimmel and Fallon are capitalising on the moment, with both hosts reportedly receiving extended bookings from high-profile guests who had previously favoured Colbert's couch. The long-term health of US late-night television, however, remains an open question as audiences fragment across digital channels.