Late Night Shows Still On Air
The late night television landscape in 2025 features a mix of long running franchises and newer entries across major U.S. broadcast and cable networks. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon remains on NBC, airing weeknights in the 11:35 p.m. ET slot, while Late Night with Seth Meyers follows at 12:37 a.m. ET. On CBS, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson ended in 2014, and the current lineup is anchored by After Midnight, a companion show that follows the CBS late night schedule after the network's flagship late night program. ABC still airs Jimmy Kimmel Live! in the 11:35 p.m. ET window, maintaining a consistent presence in the broadcast late night tier. Fox has shifted its strategy, with the network no longer airing a traditional late night talk show in the same format as its previous animated and live action entries. NBC's Tonight Show remains a cornerstone of the broadcast late night lineup.
Cable and streaming platforms have expanded the definition of late night programming beyond the traditional network hours. Shows that air on cable channels or digital-first platforms often target niche audiences with formats that differ from the studio-audience talk show model. Some cable late night programs focus on comedy sketches, panel discussions, or topical segments rather than the monologue and guest interview format common on broadcast television. The scheduling of these shows often varies by day, with some airing only on specific nights or in shorter formats. Industry analysis tracks how cable and streaming late night formats are evolving.
Network Schedules and Time Slots
NBC continues to hold the top broadcast late night position with a two show lineup in the 11:35 p.m. and 12:37 a.m. ET windows. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon leads the schedule, followed by Late Night with Seth Meyers, which features a desk segment, comedy bits, and interviews. CBS airs its late night programming after the evening news, with the network's flagship show followed by a companion program that extends the late night block. ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! occupies the 11:35 p.m. ET slot on weeknights, competing directly with NBC's lead late night entry. NBC's late night schedule includes both the Tonight Show and Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Time slots for late night shows in 2025 reflect a mix of traditional broadcast hours and expanded cable or streaming windows. The broadcast networks generally start their late night programming at 11:35 p.m. ET, with the second show in each network's lineup beginning around 12:37 a.m. ET. Cable channels and streaming services may air late night style content earlier or later depending on the platform and target audience. Some streaming late night programs release episodes on demand rather than adhering to a fixed daily broadcast time. Public filings and media company disclosures provide data on late night programming costs and revenue.
Recent Changes and Current Status
The late night television lineup has seen several format and host changes in recent years. Some shows have shifted to shorter episode lengths, fewer weekly episodes, or hybrid formats that blend traditional talk show elements with digital and social media content. Network decisions about late night programming are influenced by ratings, production costs, and the availability of hosts and production teams. Forbes reports on the business and ratings trends behind late night programming decisions.
In 2025, the broadcast late night tier remains anchored