What is late fringe daypart?

The late fringe daypart is a programming slot that usually runs from 11:00 pm until 1:00 am or later, depending on the market and network. This period is considered the last portion of the broadcast day, and it is often programmed with niche content that caters to specific audiences, such as adult-themed programming, talk shows, infomercials, and reruns of successful shows.

Late fringe programming is usually designed to capture viewers who are not interested in traditional prime time content or are looking for alternative options. The audience is typically smaller and more specialized in this time slot, but it can still be profitable for broadcasters as advertisers often focus on targeting specific demographics during this period.

Some late fringe shows have become iconic, such as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, which aired from 1962 to 1992 and established the late-night talk show format. Other popular late fringe shows, such as Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, and Jimmy Fallon, have enjoyed success and helped to establish their hosts as cultural icons. The late fringe daypart remains an important part of the television industry as networks continue to explore new ways to capture audience attention in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.