Jimmy Fallon’s ‘Tonight Show’ lands NBC contract through 2028, writers discuss show’s fame

Fallon’s ‘Tonight Show’ celebrated a decade of success and secured another 10 years on NBC.

"The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" celebrated its 10-year anniversary in May, and it’s set for another decade. On June 13, Fallon renewed his NBC contract through 2028. The show’s greatest testament to its popularity might not be on NBC but across various digital platforms.

While NBC is Fallon’s employer, "The Tonight Show" stands out for its significant lead on other platforms. It boasts the most-followed or subscribed accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube in late night, totaling 92.5 million followers. In the past year, Fallon’s digital content amassed 5.8 billion views across all social platforms, according to ListenFirst data.

Showrunner Chris Miller highlighted the challenge of catering to different audiences across multiple platforms, noting that his team essentially produces at least three shows a night. "We put on a show for network television, we put on a show for YouTube, and we put on a show that gets broken into a million pieces on Instagram and TikTok," Miller told IndieWire.

The broadcast-TV show, dating back to the 1950s, serves as the "source material" for additional platforms, according to Miller. Head writer A.D. Miles, who returned to the show last year, mentioned that despite the larger audience, the writing strategy has remained consistent, focusing on delivering the funniest content possible daily.

Fallon’s tenure has faced challenges, including a 2023 Rolling Stone report alleging a toxic workplace environment, which sources close to the show deny. Despite this, the show managed a smooth transition when Jay Leno passed the baton to Fallon in 2014, a feat that had eluded previous transitions.

Part of the show's uniqueness lies in its lighter take on politics. Miller and Miles emphasized that Fallon’s brand of humor provides a break from the exhausting news cycle, aiming to entertain without insulting different political sides.

As traditional TV viewership declines in favor of streaming, Fallon’s new contract raises questions about the show's future in this evolving landscape. However, Miles remains optimistic, noting Fallon’s openness to innovative ideas and ambitious concepts.

Miller believes the "sensibility" of a late-night network-TV slot will continue to attract viewers, even in the streaming era. "There’s something elevated about nighttime shows," he said. "It’s a little sexier, a little smarter. That late-night, adult take on things will always have a place."