NBC's JIMMY FALLON Up 40% vs. Leno's Thursday 'Tonight' Average

"The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" continues to deliver strong ratings , averaging a 3.5 rating, 9 share in household results from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research, up 40% versus "Tonight's" Thursday average this season prior to Jay Leno's finale (3.5 vs. 2.5, L+SD). "Tonight" out-rated CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman" (2.4/6) and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (3.0/6). Note Kimmel featured guest Kerry Washington of "Scandal," which delivered a dominant ratings win last night in the 10-11 p.m. ET hour.

At 12:35 a.m. ET, "Late Night with Seth Meyers" delivered solid ratings with its fourth telecast, averaging a 1.7 rating, 6 share in household results from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research, up 21% versus "Late Night's" Thursday average this season prior to the night of Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" finale (1.7 vs. 1.4, L+SD).

Head to head in the 12:30-1 a.m. ET half-hour, "Late Night" topped ABC's "Nightline" (2.0/7 for "Late Night," 1.8/6 for "Nightline" for that half-hour) and in the 12:30-1:30 a.m. hour, "Late Night" outrated CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.7/6 vs. 1.1/4).

In adult 18-49 ratings in the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night with Seth Meyers" tied ABC's "Nightline" in the 12:30-1 a.m. ET half-hour (0.8/5 for "Late Night," 0.8/5 for "Nightline" that half-hour) and in the 12:30-1:30 a.m. hour, "Late Night" topped CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (0.7/5 vs. 0.3/2).

"Fast official" ratings for "Tonight" and "Late Night" are expected later today.

Thursday's "Tonight Show" featured Denzel Washington, Shaun White and musical guest Sara Bareilles with The Roots and Friday's telecast is scheduled to include Cameron Diaz, Ralph Fiennes and Mario Batali.

Thursday's "Late Night" featured Lena Dunham, Anthony Mackie and musical guest John Mayer Trio and Friday's edition is scheduled to include Ian McKellen & Patrick Stewart, Sophia Bush and comedian Michael Che.

Detailed Thursday Late-Night Results in the Metered Markets:

In Nielsen's 56 metered markets, household results were: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," 3.5/9; CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," 2.4/6; and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 3.0/8.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," 1.4/7; "Late Show," 0.6/3; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 1.2/6.

From 12:35-1:05 a.m. ET, ABC's "Nightline" averaged a 1.8/6 in metered-market households and a 0.8/5 in 18-49 in the Local People Meters.

From 12:35-1:35 a.m. ET, "Late Night with Seth Meyers" (1.7/6 in metered-market households) beat CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.1/4). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night" (0.7/5 in 18-49) topped "Late Late Show" (0.3/2).

At 1:35 a.m., "Last Call with Carson Daly" averaged a 0.9/4 in metered-market households and a 0.4/3 in adults 18-49 in the 25 markets with local people meters.

NOTE: All ratings are "live plus same day" from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise indicated.

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