Letterman finale scores highest ‘Late Show’ ratings since 1994

David Letterman’s final appearance as host of “The Late Show” averaged 13.76 million viewers, the CBS program’s best ratings performance since February 1994.

That’s more than four times the 2.8 million viewers “The Late Show” has averaged for the 2014-15 season. The Wednesday telecast was the fourth most-watched “Late Show” episode since the show premiered in 1993.

Letterman’s finale on Wednesday averaged a 3.1 rating among 18 to 49 year olds, the group most coveted by advertisers. That number is the highest since Dec. 1, 2005, when Letterman had Oprah Winfrey as a guest. A total of 13.5 million watched that episode.

Only three “Late Show” telecasts have had larger audiences than the Letterman farewell. The largest was on February 25, 1994 following CBS coverage of the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.

Letterman’s debut on CBS on August 30, 1993, was the second most watched episode, with 15.1 million viewers.

Another post-Olympics episode on February 23, 1994 ranks third with 14.2 million viewers

In Los Angeles, Letterman’s “Late Show” farewell averaged a 6.4 rating and a 22 share. In New York, where “The Late Show” is taped, the program scored an 11.8 rating and a 29 share.

Full coverage: David Letterman retires

In Letterman’s home town of Indianapolis, “Late Show” delivered a 12.2 rating and a 32 share. The rating was a 12.2 in Chicago as well, with a 27 share of the audience.

The highest rated market was Dayton, Ohio, where “The Late Show” scored an 18.4 rating and a 42 share.

DAVID LETTERMAN’S FAREWELL:

Why Letterman loves the Foo Fighters

Letterman delivers last Top 10 list in final show

Letterman vs. Leno: Why did Dave get the finale love denied Jay?

Letterman’s 33-year journey from cult hero to late-night institution

McNamara: Through terrible tragedy and absurd pettiness, Letterman was there

#ThanksDave: Chris Rock takes over Letterman’s desk; Obama, Clintons pay tribute