“Live with Kelly and Mark” opened its 39th season with its strongest premiere week in three years, according to ratings data shared exclusively with Decider.
The syndicated daytime talk show, co-hosted by married couple Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, has topped all entertainment talk shows in key ratings categories for seven straight seasons. The new season, which began Sept. 8, also delivered the show’s best performance among women ages 25-54 in two years, extending its lead in that demographic among daytime talk shows to eight consecutive seasons.
This season marks Consuelos’ fourth as co-host. The premiere week included a segment called “Kelly and Mark 4-Ever” marking the occasion, alongside guest appearances from Lizzo, Kal Penn, Gal Gadot and Sherri Shepherd.
Week-over-week ratings gains were broad. Total viewership rose 7%, from 2.173 million to 2.334 million. Household ratings climbed 4%, from a 1.45 rating to 1.51. Among women 18-49, ratings jumped 22%, from 0.23 to 0.28, while women 25-54 ratings rose from 0.33 to 0.39. The show also posted its best overall audience and household rating in five months.
“Live” has now held the No. 1 spot among syndicated talk shows across all major measures for 189 consecutive weeks.
Executive producer Michael Gelman, speaking to Decider ahead of the season launch, pointed to the show’s lean production team of about 24 people, plus some additional support, as a factor in its sustained success.
“I think that’s one of the reasons for our success is that we’ve kept it very efficient, very family[-like], and I think you get a better creative output out of it,” Gelman said. “And at the same time, it makes the show more successful overall.”
“Live with Kelly and Mark” airs on weekdays; local listings are available through the show’s website.
