Nielsen: Colbert led ratings as new host of ‘The Late Show’

Nielsen: Colbert led ratings as new host of ‘The Late Show’

NEW YORK

Stephen Colbert crushed it with his viewership as the new host of “The Late Show.”

Premiering Tuesday, Colbert averaged 6.6 million viewers as CBS’ successor to David Letterman, doubling the “Late Show” audience a year ago, the Nielsen ratings company reported.

With guests Jeb Bush and George Clooney, “The Late Show” clobbered the usual winner, NBC’s “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” which drew slightly less than 3 million viewers, as well as ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” seen by 1.75 million.

As for the weekly numbers, Nielsen’s top programs for Aug. 31 through Sept. 6 were: 1. “America’s Got Talent” (Tuesday), NBC, 10.55 million; 2. “America’s Got Talent” (Wednesday), NBC, 9.29 million; 3. College Football: Wisconsin vs. Alabama, ABC, 7.97 million; 4. “NCIS,” CBS, 7.86 million; 5. “American Ninja Warrior,” NBC, 7.32 million; 6. “60 Minutes,” CBS, 6.88 million; 7. “Big Brother” (Wednesday), CBS, 6.58 million; 8. “NCIS: Los Angeles,” CBS, 6.09 million; 9. “Zoo,” CBS, 6.02 million; and 10. Auto Racing: NASCAR Sprint Cup, Darlington, NBC, 5.92 million.

Little Big Town, Church lead CMA nominations with 5 nods apiece

NASHVILLE, TENN.

Little Big Town hit big with its song “Girl Crush” and is tied with Eric Church with five nominations each at the 49th annual Country Music Association Awards.

In the nominations announced Wednesday, the four-part vocal group rode the success of the song to nominations for album of the year for “Pain Killer”; vocal group; musical event for a duet with Miranda Lambert; music video; and single of the year. The songwriters for “Girl Crush,” Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey, also received a nomination for song of the year.

Church earned his first nomination for entertainer of the year and was also nominated for male vocalist, single, song and musical event of the year for a duet with Keith Urban.

Kenny Chesney earned four nominations including entertainer, single, musical event and album. Lambert also earned four nominations for entertainer, female vocalist, musical event and music video. Garth Brooks returned to the entertainer of the year category this year for the first time since 1999. Luke Bryan, who won entertainer of the year last year, was also nominated for entertainer and male vocalist.

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley will host the Nov. 4 awards show at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The show will air on ABC.

Associated Press