Jimmy Fallon faces setback as NBC scales back ‘Tonight Show’ episodes

Tough news for late-night entertainment enthusiasts as NBC announces a reduction in ‘Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’ episodes, now airing new episodes only four nights a week.

This shift is driven by economic factors as viewers increasingly opt for on-demand streaming over traditional linear television viewing habits.

The new broadcasting paradigm entails airing fresh episodes on Monday through Thursday, reserving Fridays for repeats.

Adapting to the trend

The ‘Tonight Show’ follows suit with other late-night programs such as CBS’ ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,’ ABC’s ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live,’ NBC’s ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers,’ and Comedy Central’s ‘The Daily Show’ already operating on a four-originals-per-week schedule.

Reports indicate that NBC scrutinized the costs of late-night programming, leading to this decision as the viability of producing shows for the 1:30 am slot and later diminishes.

All networks have navigated similar waters recently, recognizing the need to compete effectively in the face of mobile and on-demand viewing alternatives.