via CBS press release:
Season-to-Date Gap Narrows to Just 50,000 Viewers; 220,000 at this Time
Last Year
CBS’s THE LATE LATE SHOW with CRAIG FERGUSON delivered more viewers than “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and placed first in adults 25-54, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for the week ending Nov. 21.
THE LATE LATE SHOW posted a 1.5/05 in households with 1.99m viewers, up +15% in households (from 1.3/05) and +13% in viewers (from 1.75m) compared to the same week last year. THE LATE LATE SHOW was up +14% in adults 25-54 (0.8/04 from 0.7/04), +25% in adults 18-34 (0.5/03 from 0.4/02) and even in adults 18-49 (0.64/04) compared to the same week last year.
For the week, THE LATE LATE SHOW topped “Late Night” by +7% in households (vs. 1.4/05), by +140,000 viewers (vs. 1.85m) and tied in adults 25-54 (vs. 0.8/05).
Season-to-date, THE LATE LATE SHOW is up +8% in households (1.4/05 from 1.3/05), +6% in viewers (1.86m from 1.76m), +14% in adults 25-54 (0.8/04 from 0.7/04) and even in adults 18-49 (0.6/04) and adults 18-34 (0.4/03) compared to last year.
Season-to-date, THE LATE LATE SHOW is tied with “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” in households (1.4/05, each) and adults 25-54 (0.8/04 vs. 0.8/05). Last year, season to date, THE LATE LATE SHOW trailed “Late Night” by -0.2 in households and -0.1 in adults 25-54. THE LATE LATE SHOW has improved its competitive position with “Late Night” in viewers (-50,000 viewers in 2008 from -220,000 viewers in 2007), adults 18-49 (-0.1 in 2008 from -0.2 in 2007) and adults 18-34 (-0.3 in 2008 from -0.4 in 2007).
Big news for Craig, I guess. Definitely a lot to do with his opening monologues which are the best thing in late night. Dave’s the best all around entertainer while Conan has the best writing…that’s the trifecta. Anyway, it’s a bigger win for Craig considering that his lead-in, the Late Show is usually far behind the Tonight Show in overall viewers, meaning that Ferguson is doing much better than O’Brien at keeping an audience.
NBC’s definitely going to be in trouble when Conan moves into the Tonight Show.
1) Conan viewers are more likely to be the type that watches the edgier Letterman than Leno. This means they’ll be conflicted.
2) Conan’s either going to lose some of his audience by going broader to appeal to more of America (i.e. no masturbating Bear) or he’s going to be an acquired taste to them by continuing with his same off-the-wall act.
Overall, I just don’t see middle Americans and Joe Sixpacks buying into his off-kilter sense of comedy. A true shame. But things can only be looking up for Craig Ferguson now that he won’t even have a competitor. Will give him some time to groom his act before he eventually replaces Letterman and takes on Conan in Round Two circa 2011.
Love Conan
Loathe Letterman.
When I turn on Craig Ferguson though in the few times I’ve turned it on I really, really, struggle to turn it off. Conan’s monologues are hit or miss, Craig Ferguson’s are hysterical every time, because it’s just him doing something he’s good at. Normally I’d be disapointed in this news, but I’m pleased to know when Conana moves to bigger and better, Craig will fill his old spot.
Craig rocks!
That’s AWESOME! Craig is the KING of Late Night TV!
Craig sucks!
Conan, we will always love you…
Fantasic news for Craig, and well-deserved. In my opinion, Craig won’t replace Dave. My guess is Dave’s retirement will coincide with Jon Stewart’s contract ending at Comedy Central, with Jon taking over the Late Show.
I like Conan, don’t get be wrong, but he’d get smoked by Stewart.
Craig is talented, sexy and handsome…If Letterman (Craig’s boss) would give him a bigger budget Craig would be KING of late nite tv..
Why is Letterman still on TV, he hates the job, is lousy at it, he is so filled with hate and anger at Bush, Republicans and probably a whole list of other things that it turns everyone off, that’s why his ratings are even lower than Nightline! If I ever got to a point in my life that I have no sense of humor adn just filled with hate, I think I would end it. How many times do you see Letterman smile or laugh any more? He is the single most boring person on TV, any time slot, any channel and this is coming from a one time diehard Letterman fan. He is now an embarrassment to himself, CBS and to all his one time fans. For God’s sake Dave, retire please!!