Latest news with #StephenColbert
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Stephen Colbert's late-night show on CBS to end in May
Kamala Harris joined Stephen Colbert in cracking open a beer can while taunting US president Donald Trump during 'The Late Show' last year. (CBS pic) LOS ANGELES : 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on CBS will end in May 2026 after the upcoming broadcast season, the network said on Thursday. The show is ending and Colbert will not be replaced, CBS executives said. 'This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount,' the executives said in a statement. CBS parent company Paramount is seeking approval from the US Federal Communications Commission for an US$8.4-billion merger with Skydance Media. This month, Paramount agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by president Donald Trump over an interview with former vice-president Kamala Harris, his Democratic challenger in the 2024 presidential race, that CBS's '60 Minutes' broadcast in October. Colbert, a frequent critic of Trump on his show, told his audience on Thursday that he was informed of the show's cancellation the night before. Senator Adam Schiff of California, a Democrat, was a guest during Thursday's show. 'If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better,' Schiff wrote on X.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Colbert is latest casualty of late-night TV's fade-out
Late-night television had been fighting for its survival even before The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was cancelled last week. The announced end of one of the most popular broadcast late-night shows, days after host Stephen Colbert accused the network owner of bribing President Donald Trump to approve a merger, drew cries of political foul play from liberal politicians, artists and entertainers. "Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late-night host, slams the deal. Days later, he's fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO," Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, wrote on X. CBS executives said dropping the show was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount". The late-night format has been struggling for years as viewers increasingly migrate to streaming. Younger viewers, in particular, are more apt to find amusement on YouTube or TikTok, leaving smaller, aging TV audiences and declining ad revenues. Americans used to religiously turn on Johnny Carson or Jay Leno before bed, but nowadays many fans prefer to watch quick clips on social media. Advertising revenue for Colbert's show has dropped 40 per cent since 2018 - the financial reality that CBS said prompted the decision to end The Late Show in May 2026. One former TV network executive said the program was a casualty of the fading economics of broadcast television. Colbert's late-night show rivals Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers both expressed shock over the cancellation. "I'm just as shocked as everyone," Fallon wrote on Instagram. "For as great a comedian and host he is, Stephen Colbert is an even better person," Meyers wrote on Instagram. Fifteen years ago, a popular late-night show like The Tonight Show could earn $US100 million ($A153 million) a year, the executive said. Recently, though, The Late Show has been losing $US40 million ($A61 million) a year, said a person briefed on the matter. The show's ad revenue plummeted to $US70 million ($A107 million) last year from $US121million ($A185 million) in 2018, according to ad tracking firm Guideline. Ratings for Colbert's show peaked at 3.1 million viewers on average during the 2017-18 season, according to Nielsen data. For the season that ended in May, the show's audience averaged 1.9 million. Comedians like Colbert followed their younger audiences online, with the network releasing clips to YouTube or TikTok. But digital advertising did not make up for the lost TV ad revenue, the source with knowledge of the matter said. But the end came at a politically sensitive time. Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, is seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission for an $US8.4 billion ($A12.8 billion) merger with Skydance Media. This month Paramount agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with his 2024 Democratic challenger, Kamala Harris. Colbert called the payment "a big fat bribe" two days before he was told his show was cancelled. Late-night television had been fighting for its survival even before The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was cancelled last week. The announced end of one of the most popular broadcast late-night shows, days after host Stephen Colbert accused the network owner of bribing President Donald Trump to approve a merger, drew cries of political foul play from liberal politicians, artists and entertainers. "Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late-night host, slams the deal. Days later, he's fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO," Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, wrote on X. CBS executives said dropping the show was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount". The late-night format has been struggling for years as viewers increasingly migrate to streaming. Younger viewers, in particular, are more apt to find amusement on YouTube or TikTok, leaving smaller, aging TV audiences and declining ad revenues. Americans used to religiously turn on Johnny Carson or Jay Leno before bed, but nowadays many fans prefer to watch quick clips on social media. Advertising revenue for Colbert's show has dropped 40 per cent since 2018 - the financial reality that CBS said prompted the decision to end The Late Show in May 2026. One former TV network executive said the program was a casualty of the fading economics of broadcast television. Colbert's late-night show rivals Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers both expressed shock over the cancellation. "I'm just as shocked as everyone," Fallon wrote on Instagram. "For as great a comedian and host he is, Stephen Colbert is an even better person," Meyers wrote on Instagram. Fifteen years ago, a popular late-night show like The Tonight Show could earn $US100 million ($A153 million) a year, the executive said. Recently, though, The Late Show has been losing $US40 million ($A61 million) a year, said a person briefed on the matter. The show's ad revenue plummeted to $US70 million ($A107 million) last year from $US121million ($A185 million) in 2018, according to ad tracking firm Guideline. Ratings for Colbert's show peaked at 3.1 million viewers on average during the 2017-18 season, according to Nielsen data. For the season that ended in May, the show's audience averaged 1.9 million. Comedians like Colbert followed their younger audiences online, with the network releasing clips to YouTube or TikTok. But digital advertising did not make up for the lost TV ad revenue, the source with knowledge of the matter said. But the end came at a politically sensitive time. Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, is seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission for an $US8.4 billion ($A12.8 billion) merger with Skydance Media. This month Paramount agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with his 2024 Democratic challenger, Kamala Harris. Colbert called the payment "a big fat bribe" two days before he was told his show was cancelled. Late-night television had been fighting for its survival even before The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was cancelled last week. The announced end of one of the most popular broadcast late-night shows, days after host Stephen Colbert accused the network owner of bribing President Donald Trump to approve a merger, drew cries of political foul play from liberal politicians, artists and entertainers. "Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late-night host, slams the deal. Days later, he's fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO," Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, wrote on X. CBS executives said dropping the show was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount". The late-night format has been struggling for years as viewers increasingly migrate to streaming. Younger viewers, in particular, are more apt to find amusement on YouTube or TikTok, leaving smaller, aging TV audiences and declining ad revenues. Americans used to religiously turn on Johnny Carson or Jay Leno before bed, but nowadays many fans prefer to watch quick clips on social media. Advertising revenue for Colbert's show has dropped 40 per cent since 2018 - the financial reality that CBS said prompted the decision to end The Late Show in May 2026. One former TV network executive said the program was a casualty of the fading economics of broadcast television. Colbert's late-night show rivals Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers both expressed shock over the cancellation. "I'm just as shocked as everyone," Fallon wrote on Instagram. "For as great a comedian and host he is, Stephen Colbert is an even better person," Meyers wrote on Instagram. Fifteen years ago, a popular late-night show like The Tonight Show could earn $US100 million ($A153 million) a year, the executive said. Recently, though, The Late Show has been losing $US40 million ($A61 million) a year, said a person briefed on the matter. The show's ad revenue plummeted to $US70 million ($A107 million) last year from $US121million ($A185 million) in 2018, according to ad tracking firm Guideline. Ratings for Colbert's show peaked at 3.1 million viewers on average during the 2017-18 season, according to Nielsen data. For the season that ended in May, the show's audience averaged 1.9 million. Comedians like Colbert followed their younger audiences online, with the network releasing clips to YouTube or TikTok. But digital advertising did not make up for the lost TV ad revenue, the source with knowledge of the matter said. But the end came at a politically sensitive time. Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, is seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission for an $US8.4 billion ($A12.8 billion) merger with Skydance Media. This month Paramount agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with his 2024 Democratic challenger, Kamala Harris. Colbert called the payment "a big fat bribe" two days before he was told his show was cancelled. Late-night television had been fighting for its survival even before The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was cancelled last week. The announced end of one of the most popular broadcast late-night shows, days after host Stephen Colbert accused the network owner of bribing President Donald Trump to approve a merger, drew cries of political foul play from liberal politicians, artists and entertainers. "Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late-night host, slams the deal. Days later, he's fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO," Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, wrote on X. CBS executives said dropping the show was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount". The late-night format has been struggling for years as viewers increasingly migrate to streaming. Younger viewers, in particular, are more apt to find amusement on YouTube or TikTok, leaving smaller, aging TV audiences and declining ad revenues. Americans used to religiously turn on Johnny Carson or Jay Leno before bed, but nowadays many fans prefer to watch quick clips on social media. Advertising revenue for Colbert's show has dropped 40 per cent since 2018 - the financial reality that CBS said prompted the decision to end The Late Show in May 2026. One former TV network executive said the program was a casualty of the fading economics of broadcast television. Colbert's late-night show rivals Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers both expressed shock over the cancellation. "I'm just as shocked as everyone," Fallon wrote on Instagram. "For as great a comedian and host he is, Stephen Colbert is an even better person," Meyers wrote on Instagram. Fifteen years ago, a popular late-night show like The Tonight Show could earn $US100 million ($A153 million) a year, the executive said. Recently, though, The Late Show has been losing $US40 million ($A61 million) a year, said a person briefed on the matter. The show's ad revenue plummeted to $US70 million ($A107 million) last year from $US121million ($A185 million) in 2018, according to ad tracking firm Guideline. Ratings for Colbert's show peaked at 3.1 million viewers on average during the 2017-18 season, according to Nielsen data. For the season that ended in May, the show's audience averaged 1.9 million. Comedians like Colbert followed their younger audiences online, with the network releasing clips to YouTube or TikTok. But digital advertising did not make up for the lost TV ad revenue, the source with knowledge of the matter said. But the end came at a politically sensitive time. Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, is seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission for an $US8.4 billion ($A12.8 billion) merger with Skydance Media. This month Paramount agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with his 2024 Democratic challenger, Kamala Harris. Colbert called the payment "a big fat bribe" two days before he was told his show was cancelled.
The Hill
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hill
Former NPR CEO: ‘This has not been a great week for free speech'
Former NPR CEO Vivian Schiller criticized CBS's canceling of Stephen Colbert's show in a Saturday interview amidst pushback of a decision that the network said was made due to financial constraints. 'This has not been a great week for free speech and speaking truth to power, without a doubt,' Schiller said on MSNBC. CBS has garnered criticism for the move, which many took in the context of its decision earlier this month to settle a lawsuit brought by President Trump for $16 million. CBS's parent company, Paramount, is currently seeking federal approval for a merger deal with entertainment conglomerate Skydance. Colbert panned CBS's move afterwards, calling the settlement a 'big fat bribe' in his monologue and pointing out Paramount's merger effort. Paramount's lawyers had previously characterized the lawsuit, which took issue with CBS's editing of an interview with former Vice President Harris, as 'without basis in law or fact.' Schiller acknowledged Saturday that the evidence around the cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' was 'circumstantial,' but still called the move 'curious.' The network has maintained that the decision was motivated by financial concerns. 'We have to also make note that Stephen Colbert is unafraid to, again, speak truth to power,' the former NPR executive said. 'He does it in a very bipartisan way over the years, and comedy and parody is an important part of a democratic ecosystem.' Schiller's comments come after a difficult week for NPR, the media organization she helmed for three years. Republicans voted to zero out funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a nonprofit that provides a small slice of money to NPR's national headquarters and a significant portion of revenue for the broadcaster's member stations. Schiller told NPR's media reporter this week that she thought the loss of federal funds was inevitable, and that the network should have better prepared itself ahead of the vote by Congress. 'Any evidence-based news organization that reports critically is going to be accused of left-wing bias,' she said. 'Journalism and government funding in the United States — those two things are incompatible.' Schiller exited NPR in 2011 over her own controversy surrounding federal funding. Republicans at the time were threatening to cut the broadcaster's funding when video surfaced of a prominent NPR fundraiser attacking Tea Party activists.
Fox News
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
CNN analyst blasts Dem lawmakers for demanding answers on Colbert's cancellation
CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig ripped Democratic lawmakers this week for trying to get answers on CBS's Thursday announcement it will be canceling "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in 2026. "The move, as you can hear, drew surprise and anger from his audience and from Democratic lawmakers too, who are now demanding answers," CNN's Abby Phillip said. Phillip then quoted a statement from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on the announcement from the senator's X feed that said "CBS canceled Colbert's show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery. America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons." Phillip brought in Honig, who said that Democrats should move on. "Two initial reactions to this," Honig said. "Number one, what on earth is Congress doing, wasting their time on this? CBS is a private industry. If they want to give AOC the show, God bless them." "They're private," he continued. "That's First Amendment, Congress. If Democrats, if Elizabeth Warren, they go down this road, what an utter waste." CNN contributor Scott Jennings then challenged Honig, asking him why he thinks Democratic lawmakers are upset that the show is being canceled. "You don't know why they're mad about it," Jennings asked Honig. "Well, who was even on the show tonight? Adam Schiff. These shows, Colbert and the rest of them have become nothing but anti-Trump fever swap porn along with Dem guests every single night." Phillip acknowledged Jennings' stance, but then said she thinks Warren is concerned that the cancellation is due to ongoing corruption. On July 1, Paramount Global and CBS agreed to pay Trump a sum that could reach at least $30 million to settle the president's election interference lawsuit against the network.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Stepehen Colbert Net Worth: How much does the 'cancelled' late night host earn from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert?
Big Brother is watching, and the censoring has just started. In a shocking move, CBS announced this week that it is going to end 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' next year, exiting the late-night TV scene altogether. The cancellation, supposedly driven by financial pressures, will take effect in May 2026, coinciding with the usual end of the TV season. This decision to axe the top-rated late-night program comes just weeks after CBS's parent company, Paramount, settled a lawsuit with President Trump, raising questions about Colbert's future, given his frequent criticisms of Trump on air. During a recent taping, Colbert shared the news with the audience, saying, 'Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending our show in May. It's the end of 'The Late Show' on CBS.' Helming 'The Late Show', which has been a staple of CBS for over thirty years, Colbert had big shows to fill. What David Letterman started in the 90s with his signature elements, later passed the torch to Stephen Colbert in 2015, who infused the show with sharp political humor. Colbert, having a background with Paramount through 'The Daily Show' and 'The Colbert Report', came in sharp and strong, armed with his wit, political insight, and critical stance, and made his mark through 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Not only did Colbert amass a loyal base of followers and triggered a cultural influence that caused the uproar upon the news of the cancellation of the show, but the late show host also built his empire worth millions of dollars. Let's take a look. Stephen Colbert: Net Worth According to various financial sources, Stephen Colbert's net worth is estimated to be around $75 million as of 2025. With a diversified financial portfolio, Colbert's earnings come from multiple sources of income. His earnings from television play a significant role in his financial success, with whopping figure salaries from iconic shows like 'The Daily Show', 'The Colbert Report', and currently, 'The Late Show'. Salary from 'The Late Show': In his 2015 debut year, Colbert reportedly earned $6 million annually. Four years after his debut, a contract signed in October 2019 reportedly escalated his pay to $15 million per year. In June 2023, he secured another three-year extension, which is going to last through May 2026. With approximately 168 shows produced each year, this translates to an impressive per-episode earnings of roughly $89,800, further solidifying his status as one of the leading figures in late-night television. Income from other ventures: Apart from 'The Late Show', Colbert has also made a fortune with book sales of 'I Am America (and So Can You!)' and 'America Again'. He has lent his voice to various projects, including 'Monsters vs. Aliens', has made his mark on Broadway, and continues to foray into various production ventures, showcasing his skills both as a producer and an actor. With roughly $150 million earned from CBS over a decade, Stephen Colbert is set to bid adieu to 'The Late Show' next May. There's no denying that 'The Late Show' has been expensive to produce, costing over $100 million per year, including Colbert's salary and a 200‑person staff. Although highly successful and culturally significant, the show struggled financially, losing approximately $40 million annually, and CBS decided to pull the plug. Colbert's farewell in May 2026 marks the end of an era, but Colbert has yet to announce what he will take on next. Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' Axed Weeks After Trump Deal Criticism
