The numbers are in. And it’s exactly like you’d expect.
Initial panel-only Live+SD Nielsen ratings data (source: LateNighter):
| May 22, 2026 | Total viewers | 18-49 |
|---|---|---|
| ABC (rpt) | 1.6 million | 208,000 |
| NBC* | 1.5 million | 319,000 |
| CBS (11.35) | 995,000 | 116,000 |
| CBS (12.05 rpt) | 600,000 | 55,000 |
*Note: Airing 12.05am in the East due to NBA
Or you could take the spin from Allen Media Group.
Stephen Colbert’s replacement is rating 64% lower
Fallons numbers are far more troublesome
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert had an unexpectedly good night at the first evening of the Emmy awards.
The canceled series came away with two big upsets at the event formerly known as the Creative Arts Emmys.
Colbert Before Air won the Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama Or Variety Series and and The Late Show won Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series.
Stephen Colbert Wins Five Emmys After CBS Exit Amid Trump Controversy
The Late Show won for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, Directing for a Variety Series, Picture Editing for Variety Programming (Segment), Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Series, and Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Series.