Fact-check analysisVerified as of July 18, 2025Curated by FactVerify
True

Stephen Colbert leads all late night shows in ratings.

Stephen Colbert's 'The Late Show' has consistently led all American late-night talk shows in ratings for multiple recent years, including 2023 and into 2025.

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At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified July 18, 2025
The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

The claim that Stephen Colbert leads all late night shows in ratings can be broken down into the assertion that his show, 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,' has the highest viewership compared to other late-night programs. Multiple sources confirm this: Wikipedia notes that as of 2023, Colbert's show has been the highest-rated American late-night talk show for seven consecutive seasons, marking a record streak.en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.orgThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Recent ratings data from 2024 and 2025 further support this, with reports indicating that Colbert's show averaged around 2. 42 million viewers in Q2 2025 and maintained the top spot over competitors like Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon.latenighter.comlatenighter.comHere Are Final Late Night Ratings for Q2 2025 Even after disruptions such as the writers' strike and Colbert's health-related absences, his show remained the most-watched in its category.collider.comcollider.comStephen Colbert Is Outpacing the Competition for This Reason

While CBS plans to end 'The Late Show' in 2026, this does not affect the current standing of Colbert's ratings leadership.forbes.comforbes.comStephen Colbert Easily Tops Late Night Ratings War In First Week Back After... There is no credible evidence contradicting the claim; some competitors have gained viewers but have not surpassed Colbert.

Therefore, the claim is accurate based on available data.

Primary trail

Verified Sources5

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

en.wikipedia.org
Open source

Here Are Final Late Night Ratings for Q2 2025

latenighter.com
Open source

Stephen Colbert Easily Tops Late Night Ratings War In First Week Back After...

forbes.com
Open source
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