NBC Sends Jay Leno Out in Style with Five-Year Rating High

Jay Leno wrapped his Tonight Show run with the highest metered-market household rating since 2009.

Jay Leno  concluded his run as host of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno by delivering the show’s highest overnight rating in nearly five years, since March 2009.

Leno averaged a 9.2 rating, 22 share in households in the 56 markets metered by Nielsen Media Research (with the Philadelphia market excluded last night), best since March 19, 2009, the night President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. President to appear on a late-night talk show (11.3/26).

The final Tonight Show with Jay Leno more than tripled the show’s season average in metered-market households, 2.8/7 heading into this week.

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon followed last night with its highest rating ever, a 4.6/15 in metered-market households. Fallon tripled the show’s 1.5 season average in metered-market households heading into this week.

Guests on Tonight Thursday included Billy Crystal and Garth Brooks, with appearances by Oprah Winfrey, Jack Black, Carol Burnett, Sheryl Crow, Jim Parsons, Kim Kardashian and Chris Paul. Appearing in taped messages were Jimmy Fallon, Bob Costas, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Charlie Sheen and President Barack Obama.

The Feb. 6 edition of Late Night featured Colin Farrell, Chris Pratt and musical guest 2 Chainz.

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