'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Beats 'Letterman' in 11:35 p.m. Debut

ABC host's much-publicized move falls about 175,000 viewers short of 'Leno's draw

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/9/2013 12:24:04 PM

Jimmy Kimmel Live had a warm welcome to its new 11:35 p.m. time slot on Tuesday, beating CBS' Late Show with David Letterman, according to Nielsen fast national ratings.

ABC's JKL drew 3.097 million total viewers, its second most-watched telecast ever, and 887,000 adults 18-49, topping Letterman by 7% in total viewers and 30% in the key demo.

NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno still won the time period, averaging 3.274 million total viewers and 1.084 million adults 18-49.

The first episode of JKL's much-publicized move to 11:35 p.m. improved 59% in total viewers and 33% in adults 18-49 over its season average in its former midnight time period.

In preliminary ratings based on Nielsen's 56 metered markets, JKL topped both Leno and Letterman, drawing a 2.8 household rating/8 share to Letterman's 2.7/7 and Leno's 2.4/6.