Late Night with Seth Meyers Premiere Episode Wins TV Rating

“Late Night with Seth Meyers” has delivered strong ratings with its premiere telecast last night, February 24, 2014, 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).

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.