NBC's TONIGHT SHOW Delivers Top Week 2 Rating in Five Years

"The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" has dominated week two of the 2014-15 television season with a +22% gain over "Tonight's" year-ago week in adults 18-49, for the show's highest week-two rating in five years.

Fallon's 1.09 rating for the week of Sept. 29-Oct. 3 convincingly beat the time-slot competition, delivering a +49% margin over ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (0.73) and a +110% advantage over CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman" (0.52). In total viewers, Fallon's average 3.894 million persons gave him margins of +41% over "Kimmel" (2.767 million) and +48% over "Late Show" (2.623 million).

Note that CBS's Thursday shows were delayed last week by a high-rated NFL overrun. Friday's "Kimmel," "Late Night" and "Last Call" were encores.

Versus last year's week two, "The Tonight Show" grew by +22% in 18-49 rating (to a 1.09 from a 0.89) and by +3% in total viewers (3.894 million vs. 3.780 million). It's "Tonight's" top week-two result in 18-49 since a 1.09 in 2009 and most-watched week two for "Tonight" in six years, since averaging 4.652 million in 2008.

"Late Night with Seth Meyers" tied CBS's "Letterman" last week in adults 18-49 (0.52 rating each), despite starting an hour later and despite CBS's Thursday boost from primetime NFL football. In the 12:35-1:35 a.m. ET hour, Meyers delivered bigger audiences than CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" in every key measure -- adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers. Meyers also prevailed versus ABC's "Nightline" in their head-to-head half-hour from 12:30-1 a.m. in every key category.

In the season's second week, Meyers grew versus premiere week by +6% in 18-49 rating (to a 0.52 from a 0.49) and was up +9% in total viewers (1.626 million vs. 1.498 million).

At 1:35 a.m. ET, "Last Call with Carson Daly" tied CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" in 18-49 rating (0.34 rating each), despite starting an hour later.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."

WEEK 1

Show...18-49...total viewers

Tonight...1.09/5...3.894 million
Dave *...0.52/3...2.623 million
Kimmel *...0.73/3...2.767 million

12:35-1:05 a.m.
Nightline...0.47/3...1.726 million

12:35-1:35 a.m.
Seth Meyers *...0.52/3...1.626 million
Ferguson *...0.34/2...1.319 million

1:35 a.m.-2:05 a.m.
Carson Daly * ...0.34/3...0.947 million

* CBS Thursday shows were delayed by an NFL overrun. Friday's "Kimmel," "Late Night" and "Last Call" were encores.

SEASON AVERAGES

Show...18-49...total viewers

11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m.
Tonight...1.09/5...3.883 million
Dave...0.55/3...2.682 million
Kimmel...0.71/3...2.829 million

12:35-1:05 a.m.
Nightline...0.45/3...1.753 million

12:35-1:35 a.m.
Seth Meyers...0.51/3...1.562 million
Ferguson...0.37/2...1.412 million

1:35 a.m.-2:05 a.m.
Carson Daly ...0.32/3...0.886 million

Need more TV Theatre News in your life? Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...