Part 3/9:
The Battle for the 11:30 and 12:30 Slots: Ratings, Rivalries, and Industry Strategies
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the competitive landscape of late-night television, particularly the battle between Johnny Carson and David Letterman. The speaker explains that during their respective peaks, NBC aimed to preserve the strong ratings of these hosts. Johnny's show at 11:30 p.m. and Letterman's at 12:30 p.m. were both solid hits, making the network reluctant to shift either to gain an advantage.