Honestly, trying to figure out what time does The Daily Show come on used to be a lot simpler before the world of streaming and the "rotating door" of guest hosts made everything feel like a giant puzzle. It's Comedy Central’s crown jewel. It has survived the departure of Trevor Noah and the triumphant, albeit part-time, return of the GOAT, Jon Stewart. But if you’re sitting on your couch on a Tuesday night wondering why the screen isn't showing sharp political satire, you're not alone. The timing is specific, and if you miss the window, you're stuck waiting for the YouTube clips the next morning.
The Standard Broadcast Window
Basically, The Daily Show airs at 11:00 PM ET/PT on Comedy Central.
It runs Monday through Thursday. That’s the "linear" answer. If you live in the Central Time Zone, you’re looking at 10:00 PM. Mountain Time? Usually 10:00 PM as well, though you should check your local listings because cable providers love to mess with those slots.
The show typically lasts 30 minutes, though it often bleeds into the 11:31 PM slot if a guest is particularly chatty or if Jon Stewart has a lot to get off his chest. Speaking of Jon, his presence has fundamentally changed the "vibe" of the schedule. He handles the Monday nights. The rest of the week—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday—is handled by the "News Team," which includes heavy hitters like Desi Lydic, Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta, and Jordan Klepper.
What Time Does The Daily Show Come On If You Don't Have Cable?
This is where things get a little murky. Most people aren't tethered to a coaxial cable anymore. If you’re a cord-cutter, your "what time" is actually "when does it drop."
✨ Don't miss: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
For Paramount+ subscribers, you generally have to wait until the following morning. It’s not a live-stream situation like a sporting event. Usually, the new episode is available to stream by 3:00 AM ET / 12:00 AM PT. If you're an insomniac or a very early riser on the East Coast, you can catch it then. Otherwise, it's your breakfast entertainment.
There's also the YouTube factor. The "Main Monologue" or the "Headlines" segment usually hits the Comedy Central YouTube channel within an hour or two of the broadcast ending. So, around 12:30 AM ET, you can find the meat of the show for free.
The Jon Stewart Factor
Jon Stewart's return to the Monday night slot was a massive deal. It changed the viewership numbers and, frankly, the cultural relevance of the show. When people ask what time does The Daily Show come on, they are often specifically looking for Stewart’s episodes.
He is currently signed on to host Monday nights through the 2025 election cycle and into 2026. Because Monday is the flagship night, it’s the one most likely to have "special editions." For example, during the conventions or major election nights, the show might go live. When the show goes live, it still usually starts at 11:00 PM ET, but the energy is different. There’s no tape delay for the West Coast—it’s raw.
🔗 Read more: Why Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Actors Still Define the Modern Spy Thriller
Why the 11 PM Slot Still Matters
You might wonder why, in 2026, a show still clings to the 11:00 PM slot. It’s late. People have work. But late-night television is a legacy beast. It’s designed to be the "final word" on the news cycle. By 11 PM, the day's insanity has been processed, packaged, and is ready to be mocked.
If it aired at 7 PM, half the news they talk about wouldn't have happened yet.
Regional Variations and Global Viewing
If you're in the UK, you're looking at Comedy Central UK, but the delay is often 24 hours. In Australia, it’s a similar story. The internet has made these "regional times" feel archaic, which is why the vast majority of the global audience just waits for the social media clips.
However, if you want the full experience—the guest interviews, the "Moment of Zen," and the deep-dive segments—you have to stick to the 11:00 PM Comedy Central feed or the next-day Paramount+ drop.
💡 You might also like: The Entire History of You: What Most People Get Wrong About the Grain
Common Misconceptions About the Schedule
Some people think the show is on Fridays. It isn't. It never has been. Friday is a dead zone for late-night satire. The writers take that time to prep for the following Monday.
Another weird quirk? Sometimes Comedy Central runs a "Best of" week. This usually happens around major holidays like July 4th, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. During those weeks, the show still "comes on" at 11:00 PM, but it’s a repeat. If you’re looking for fresh takes and you see a host wearing a suit from three months ago, you’ve hit a rerun.
How to Make Sure You Never Miss It
Setting a DVR is the old-school way, but it's the most reliable for the 11 PM crowd. If you use YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo, you can just "favorite" the show, and it’ll be in your library by midnight.
- Check the Day: Is it Monday? If yes, you get Jon Stewart.
- Verify the Time Zone: 11 PM ET is the gold standard.
- Platform Choice: Cable at 11, YouTube at midnight, Paramount+ the next morning.
The landscape of late-night is shifting. It’s getting shorter, more viral-focused, and more fragmented. But as long as the news is a mess, there will be a need for this specific half-hour of television.
To stay truly updated, follow the official Daily Show social media accounts. They often post "Live Tonight" graphics around 6:00 PM ET that confirm the host and the guest. This is especially helpful during the "News Team" weeks when you might want to know if it's a Klepper night or a Lydic night.
Next Steps for the Dedicated Viewer:
To get the most out of your viewing, sync your Paramount+ app notifications to alert you when new episodes are uploaded. If you are watching on linear cable, ensure your DVR is set to "Record New Only" to avoid filling up your storage with the 2:00 AM repeats that Comedy Central frequently runs. Finally, if you're looking for the Jon Stewart episodes specifically, mark your calendar for Mondays; his schedule is the most consistent part of the current rotation.