• by Wayne Friedman , October 23, 2009

NBC may be stumbling with its late-night programming, but its early-morning programming continues to thrive.

For its most recent week ending, NBC's "The Today Show" not only continues to lead all comers, but it has pushed its lead over ABC's "Good Morning America" by 1.5 million total viewers. That is the largest margin the "Today" show has had over "GMA" in three years.

"Today" has 5.5 million viewers, according to The Nielsen Co.; "America", 4.0 million; and CBS' "The Early Show", 2.8 million for the week ending Oct. 16. Among the key adults 25-54 demographic, things also went NBC's way with a 2.1 rating; ABC at a 1.3; and CBS at a 0.9.

Late night remains a different story.

CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" took a slim first-place win in key 18-49 viewers (1.35 million) and easier wins among total viewers (4.2 million) and adult 25-54 viewers (1.70 million) for the week ending Oct.16.

ABC's "Nightline" was in second place among total viewers (3.92 million), third among 18-49 viewers (1.30 million) and second among 25-54 viewers (1.54 million).

"The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" was in second place among 18-49 viewers (1.33 million), third place among 25-54 viewers (1.44 million), and a distant third among total viewers (2.5 million). The 18-49 ratings for "The Tonight Show" are down 22% versus a year ago.

Still, O'Brien's silver lining is those younger viewers, where he continues to prosper, offering higher numbers than when Leno had the hosting job. For the most current week, ending Oct. 16, "Tonight" posted a 0.7 rating/3 share among 18-34 viewers, while "Late Show" took in a 0.5/3.