'Smallest audience ever': Kennedy Center Honors tank on CBS after Trump takes over
Source: raw story
David Edwards December 24, 2025 4:16PM ET
"The Kennedy Center Honors" reportedly drew its lowest ratings ever after President Donald Trump announced he would host the event.
"According to preliminary Nielsen data, 'The Kennedy Center Honors' on CBS drew its smallest audience ever on the night of December 23, 2025, averaging an estimated 2.65 million viewers," Programming Insider reported on Wednesday. "To put that in perspective: the 2024 broadcast averaged 4.1 million."
On Tuesday, the president insisted that the event had been renamed "The Trump Kennedy Center Honors" and that he would host the program.
"At the request of the Board, and just about everybody else in America, I am hosting the event. Tell me what you think of my 'Master of Ceremony' abilities," he wrote on Truth Social.....................
Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-kennedy-center-ratings/
Makes my day!!
www.rawstory.com/trump-kenned...
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@mrsbettybowers.bsky.social) 2025-12-24T21:28:21.377Z
cstanleytech
(28,470 posts)truthisfreedom
(23,532 posts)They deserve each other. This is their moment to fail together.
truthisfreedom
(23,532 posts)Stephen Colbert's The Late Show consistently ranks as a top late-night program, often leading in total viewers; recent Nielsen data from late 2025 shows audiences around 2.7 to 2.8 million viewers (Live+7), though ratings fluctuate monthly, with him sometimes second to Jimmy Kimmel Live! or Gutfeld! in specific metrics or months, but generally holding strong as the #1 late-night show overall for total viewership.
Red Mountain
(2,340 posts)was that it (Colbert) wasn't profitable.
That make sense? I guess salaries might be higher than other shows but......
70sEraVet
(5,482 posts)doesn't include all the people who catch the show the next day, like I do.
Rhiannon12866
(255,443 posts)And depending on the guest, there are times it's the entire show.
IronLionZion
(51,262 posts)Rhiannon12866
(255,443 posts)Since I know that not everyone stays up as late as I do, and some don't even have TV. Plus, especially these days, we could sure use the humor...
BTW, I also keep track and the show is in repeats for the next two weeks.
70sEraVet
(5,482 posts)You provide a very appreciated service!
Rhiannon12866
(255,443 posts)I recently heard a conversation between Rachel Maddow and Nicolle Wallace about getting Colbert's show no longer cancelled. I know it's a long shot, especially now what's happening on CBS, but I have hopes! I like all the late night guys and know they're all friends (including John Oliver), but Colbert really is the best. I remember once when there was breaking news (think the felon-in-chief was visiting Kim Jong Un) during Colbert's monologue taping, so he dispensed with the written script and ad libbed the rest...
onenote
(46,139 posts)Because advertisers don't care about folks who record and watch later if they're skipping the ads.
walkingman
(10,854 posts)kimbutgar
(27,247 posts)I deleted immediately on my prime time DVR.
flashman13
(2,397 posts)Rebl2
(17,736 posts)Know it was on last night. I thought it was normally on after Christmas. I wouldnt have watched it anyway.
Katinfl
(811 posts)sarchasm
(1,308 posts)hands
ratings
public opinion/approval
golf skill
popular vote victory margin
electoral vote total
historical presidential ranking
time for ear to heal after being shot by a AR15 style rifle
political experience
circle of trust
Borogove
(623 posts)twodogsbarking
(18,769 posts)Mawspam2
(1,106 posts)So looking forward to the final scene of Network playing out.
https://m.
twodogsbarking
(18,769 posts)Air frehener would be a good idea.
TommieMommy
(2,898 posts)moonshinegnomie
(4,014 posts)it would be a shame if that were to be posted on his account sor the white house accounts. (i posted it on hi xitter account as well as remnding him cobert gets higher ratings than he did.....
paleotn
(22,209 posts)Go to sleep forever, Donnie.
Upthevibe
(10,177 posts)sakabatou
(46,140 posts)electric_blue68
(26,856 posts)👍😄👍😄👍😄👍
LetMyPeopleVote
(179,766 posts)
TheFarseer
(9,770 posts)Its the highest ratings ever. Everyone said I was the best host ever.
Scarlet Begalas
(75 posts)It was, without a doubt, the highest rated Kennedy Center Honors program of 2025!!!!!!
dedl67
(223 posts)Cha
(319,041 posts)Watching the Lying Pile of Shit.. Fuck CBS.
twodogsbarking
(18,769 posts)wcmagumba
(6,161 posts)wolfie001
(7,657 posts)Midnight Writer
(25,404 posts)Deminpenn
(17,504 posts)Her CBS News decisions are now bleeding over into regular programming.
Martin68
(27,729 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(32,133 posts)Grins
(9,456 posts)Should the Kennedy Center BEG Colbert to host next year! He was hit last time!
Just for the meltdown. Be wild!!!
fujiyamasan
(1,694 posts)Now, the entertainers are mostly third rate hacks.
Not sure why anyone would waste their time with it. And viewership is more fragmented than ever before. Non supporters are going to automatically tune this out.
oasis
(53,684 posts)Paladin
(32,354 posts)TexasBushwhacker
(21,199 posts)Kid Berwyn
(24,372 posts)Is why.