CBS was thrilled when the Late Show received 13.8 million viewers, a 21-year high.
David Letterman said goodbye to the show on Wednesday night. He has spent 33 total years in late night television, 22 of those with CBS.
In the recent weeks, the shows’ ratings have been at a high. Fans wanted to soak in every last moment of Letterman as they could before he signed off. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the goodbye averaged nearly 13.8 million viewers, with the show hitting its highest score since the Late Show‘s first season in 1994.
There was a 3.1 rating with adults 18-49. Letterman has not brought in such high ratings since 2005 with a guest appearance by Oprah Winfrey.
The new Late Late Show, hosted by James Corden, is achieving great success because of Letterman’s farewell. Wednesday’s show reached 4 million viewers, a new record for any host.
David Letterman’s departure attracted many new viewers; CBS will work hard to continue achieving greater ratings even though Letterman is gone.