SETH MEYERS Debuts with Top Monday Overnights in 9 Years

The Feb. 24 telecast of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" has delivered strong ratings with its first telecast on a non-Olympic night, averaging a 4.5 rating, 12 share in household results from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research. It's "Tonight's" highest Monday rating, excluding Olympic nights, in four years (since March 1, 2010, the night of Jay Leno's return, 5.4),

The 4.5 rating is up 55% versus "Tonight's" non-Olympic season average (4.5 vs. 2.9, L+SD). "Tonight" topped the combined metered-market household rating in the time period of CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman" (2.2/6) and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (2.1/6).

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" averaged a 2.1/10 in adults 18-49, best for "Tonight" on a non-Olympic Monday since June 1, 2009 (Conan O'Brien's premiere, 3.9).

At 12:35 a.m. ET, "Late Night with Seth Meyers" has delivered strong ratings with its premiere telecast, averaging a 2.6 rating, 9 share in household results from the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research. It's the highest "Late Night" rating on a Monday in nine years (since Jan. 24, 2005 for a "Late Night" encore, 4.2, which followed a high-rated "Tonight Show" tribute to Johnny Carson).

The debut of "Late Night with Seth Meyers" is up 63% versus "Late Night's" season average (2.6 vs. 1.6, L+SD). Monday's "Late Night" retained 58% of its "Tonight Show" lead-in (2.6 vs. 4.5), versus the show's 55% season average (1.6 vs. 2.9). The 2.6 topped the combined ratings in the time slot of ABC's "Nightline" (1.4/5 for the first half-hour of the time period) and CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.0/4).

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night with Seth Meyers" averaged a 1.2/8 in adults 18-49, best for "Late Night" on a Monday since June 1, 2009 (1.4, following Conan O'Brien's "Tonight Show" premiere).

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

Monday's "Tonight Show" featured Reese Witherspoon, Fred Armisen and musical guest Rick Ross with The Roots. Tonight's telecast is schedule to include Paul Rudd, Shaquille O'Neal and Hannibal Buress.

Monday's "Late Night" featured Amy Poehler, Vice President Joe Biden and musical guest A Great Big World. Tuesday's telecast is scheduled to include Kanye West, Russell Wilson and writer Robyn Doolittle.

Detailed Monday Late-Night Results in the Metered Markets:

In Nielsen's 56 metered markets, household results were: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," 4.5/12; CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," 2.2/6; and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 2.1/6.

In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, adult 18-49 results were: "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," 2.1/10; "Late Show," 0.5/2; and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," 0.6/3.

From 12:35-1:05 a.m. ET, ABC's "Nightline" averaged a 1.4/5 in metered-market households and a 0.4/2 in 18-49 in the Local People Meters.

From 12:35-1:35 a.m. ET, "Late Night with Seth Meyers" (2.6/9 in metered-market households) beat CBS's "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.0/4). In the 25 markets with Local People Meters, "Late Night" (1.2/8 in 18-49) topped "Late Late Show" (0.2/2).

At 1:35 a.m., "Last Call with Carson Daly" averaged a 1.4/6 in metered-market households and a 0.6/5 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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