ABC latenight growing

ABC, possibly elevated having a more effective showing inside the final half-hour of primetime, has opened up in the latenight season around the strong note. Both "Nightline" and "Because Of Due To Jimmy Kimmel Live" acquired versus. the opening frame of a year ago while almost all their latenight talkshow competition -- including Jay Leno on NBC and David Letterman on CBS -- shown declines. News vet "Nightline" was the most effective-rated latenight enter in most key groups for your week of Sept. 19-23, marking the first time it's assigned both CBS and NBC in demos for premiere week, according to Nielsen. The 11:35 p.m.-evening time show averaged 1.25 million grownups 18-49 (despite a year ago), 1.60 million grownups 25-54 (up 2%) and three.85 million audiences overall (up 7%). And following "Nightline," Kimmel's show came 790,000 grownups 18-49 (up 5%), 918,000 grownups 25-54 (up 13%) and 1.82 million audiences overall (up 8%). The whole-viewer count might be the 2nd greatest so far for just about any premiere week of "Because Of Due To Jimmy Kimmel Live." Elsewhere, NBC's "Tonight Show With Jay Leno" held slim advantages over CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" in 18-49 (1.07 million versus. 1.05 million) and 25-54 (1.40m versus. 1.34m), while using Peacock series also leading in general audiences (3.64m versus. 3.22m). "Tonight" slid by 20% in 18-49, 10% in 25-54 and 4% in general audiences, suggesting an adult skew this year, while "Late Show" was off by about 15% overall. At 12:35 a.m., NBC's "Late Evening With Jimmy Fallon" introduced over CBS' "Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson" in 18-49 (695,000 versus. 607,000) and total audiences (1.69m versus. 1.51m), with "Fallon" lower 16% inside the demo and "Ferguson" off 7%. Inside the 10:30 p.m. half-hour leading into primetime throughout premiere week, CBS (2.74 rating) and ABC (2.70) were neck and neck in 18-49 weeknight earnings, while using Eye sinking by 7% because the Alphabet elevated by 27%. NBC lagged at 1.96 (lower 8%). Too as with 25-54, CBS introduced the means by which (3.80 rating, lower 7%), then ABC (3.36, up 19%) and NBC (2.44, lower 4%). Round the cable side, no latenight talkshow saw gains versus. a year ago. Top-rated in 18-49 was Comedy Central's "Daily Show" (946,000 grownups 18-49 and 1.67 million audiences overall). Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com