Music Acts Disappearing From Late Night TV

The decline of musical performances on late-night television is a notable trend, driven by changes in viewership, budgets, and cultural shifts.

Data from Consequence shows that musical act bookings on late-night TV have plummeted since their peak of over 800 annually between 2011 and 2013. By 2023, bookings dropped to around 200, well below even pandemic-era levels.

Shows like Late Night with Seth Meyers have eliminated musical guests entirely, following budget cuts that led to the dismissal of its house band, led by Fred Armisen, in June 2024. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has also scaled back, booking only 50 musical performances in 2023 compared to over 150 annually under David Letterman.

Shifting Viewer Habits: The rise of streaming platforms and social media has reduced the cultural relevance of late-night TV. Many viewers prefer watching highlights on YouTube or TikTok the next morning rather than tuning in live, diminishing the live broadcast’s impact. Younger audiences, who are key for new music discovery, are less likely to watch traditional TV, opting instead for platforms like Tiny Desk Concerts or KEXP sessions, which offer more songs and creative freedom without the high production costs of TV.

Budget Constraints: Shrinking audiences have led to reduced budgets for late-night shows. Musical performances are costly, with expenses ranging from $150,000 to $225,000 per act, and up to $700,000 for high-profile slots like Saturday Night Live. These costs include creative directors, stylists, and production elements, which are harder to justify with declining viewership.

Reduced Promotional Impact: Late-night TV performances no longer “move the needle” as they once did. A 2024 Chartmetric analysis found that 192 of 458 artists who performed on top talk shows saw a decrease in Spotify monthly listeners post-performance, indicating limited impact on music careers.

While some artists, like BTS on SNL (2019) or Bartees Strange on Kimmel (2022), saw listener spikes of nearly 85%, these are exceptions. Most performances yield minimal streaming or sales boosts, as audiences discover music through social media or playlists instead.

Golden Age of Late-Night Music: From the 1990s to early 2010s, late-night shows were a vital platform for artists. Programs like Late Night with Conan O’Brien and The Late Show with David Letterman showcased indie bands (e.g., Arcade Fire, Wilco) and underground acts (e.g., Pavement, Ween), often introducing them to mainstream audiences. Performances like Future Islands on Letterman (2014) or Sharon Van Etten on Fallon (2012) were career-defining, creating viral moments that boosted fanbases. These moments were amplified by the “monoculture” of TV, where millions watched live.

Exceptions and Resilience: Saturday Night Live: SNL remains a standout, with its musical guest slot still considered a “rite of passage.” Artists like Chappell Roan and Doechii have seen significant career boosts from SNL and Colbert appearances, though these are rare.  Jimmy Kimmel Live!: Unlike others, Kimmel continues to feature musical guests nightly, from major acts like Metallica to emerging ones like Enhypen, leveraging online fanbases to drive streaming views.

The pendulum may swing back if economic pressures drive demand for “cheap entertainment,” but for now, late-night TV’s role in music promotion is diminishing, overshadowed by digital platforms.