NBC looks to boost Jimmy Fallon’s ‘Tonight’ by airing it after ‘Sunday Night Football’

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As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that tonight, your favorite television shows and I are teaming up! With the help of TV’s most popular series, I’m aiming to attract some fresh faces to our fall lineup. Jimmy Fallon, the charismatic host, is right there with me on this exciting journey.

NBC announced on Thursday that the late-night shows within their franchise will have special broadcasts following the four “Sunday Night Football” games and after local news programs during the upcoming season. Two of these NFL matches will involve the Kansas City Chiefs, making them highly anticipated events due to tight end Travis Kelce’s engagement to Taylor Swift.

The Tonight Show hosted by Jimmy Fallon” will be broadcast on September 21, after the Chiefs’ match against the New York Giants. Additional episodes are scheduled for October 26 following the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers game, November 16 after the Detroit Lions and Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles game, as well as December 7 after the Chiefs’ face-off with the Houston Texans.

The objective of the program is to secure popular figures for its broadcasts on Sundays. Matthew McConaughey and Eric Church are set to feature on September 21st.

Last season, when Fallon’s show was broadcast following “Sunday Night Football,” it achieved its highest viewership figures for the entire year. In light of the current turmoil in late-night television, NBC has decided to air more episodes.

As a movie enthusiast, it’s disheartening to see shows like “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” being canceled because of financial difficulties. It underscores the struggles that one of television’s longest-running genres is facing. The shift towards streaming platforms has led to a decrease in ratings and income for all late-night programs, including “Tonight.” This change in viewing habits has certainly taken a toll on these beloved shows.

With Colbert ending his late-night run in May, leaving behind his lame-duck status, it opens up a chance for “Tonight” to attract viewers who have been accustomed to watching shows around 11:35 PM on the couch and desk setup.

Katie Hockmeyer, executive vice president of late-night programming for NBC, expressed hope that we might attract some viewers for our television program.

A drop in prime-time ratings on television networks has pulled down late-night programming as well, removing the strong opening acts that used to benefit the formally well-positioned, suit-wearing hosts.

On Sundays during football season, “Sunday Night Football” (SNF) consistently breaks the trend by attracting a massive audience of approximately 21.6 million viewers across television and streaming platforms. This figure, as reported by Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, marks its strongest performance since 2015. For an impressive fourteen years running, SNF has held the title of the most-watched prime-time TV series.

Hollywood Inc.

In simpler terms, Allen’s show titled “Comics Unleashed” is set to air on CBS after Stephen Colbert’s late-night program. Despite the challenges in the late-night scene, Allen humorously clarifies that the cost for his show is not reduced, but rather it’s absolutely free.

Although “Tonight” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers” encounter similar business issues as “The Late Show,” NBC reaffirms its support for these shows, boasting a long-standing legacy. Both Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers have contract extensions lasting until 2028.

Tonight harks back to the early era of television, with Fallon taking the stage at NBC’s Rockefeller Center headquarters – just like Johnny Carson did when he hosted his show from New York. David Letterman broadened comedy appeal during the time “Late Night” premiered in the 12:30 am slot back in 1982.

Hockmeyer chose not to disclose the financial status of “Tonight,” but pointed out that NBC’s late-night shows offer more than just high ratings. They serve as a venue to promote various properties within NBCUniversal, including movies from Universal Pictures, TV shows on NBC, content on the streaming platform Peacock, and coverage of significant sports events like the Olympics.

Hockmeyer stated, “It’s important to keep in mind that these shows serve as vibrant systems that aid in showcasing our company’s offerings.

NBC’s affiliates purchase the programs from the network. Their agreement terms play a significant role during negotiations for broadcasting fees with satellite and cable services carrying their TV stations.

The sales team for our network additionally utilizes these software tools to market product integrations within humorously crafted segments, where brands are seamlessly included.

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2025-08-28 18:01