Post-Stephen Colbert, CBS still wants an original late-night show

Even though Stephen Colbert is leaving, CBS still plans to create a new, original late-night program.

Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” will conclude next month after CBS decided to cancel it, citing financial reasons. Network leaders explained to reporters on Wednesday that CBS still aims to have a strong presence in late-night television, specifically at 11:35 p.m.

CBS has made a one-year agreement with Byron Allen to air his comedy show, “Comics Unleashed,” in the same time slot that was previously home to David Letterman and, later, Stephen Colbert. Former President Trump has claimed responsibility for Colbert’s removal from the air, expressing his dislike for the comedian on social media.

Colbert’s final broadcast will be May 21.

While Allen is temporarily filling the slot, network leaders admitted they haven’t figured out a permanent solution for late-night programming, though they are actively developing new options.

George Cheeks, who oversees TV Media at Paramount and runs CBS, stated that the company will continue to explore new show ideas. He also mentioned that programs from Allen, including “Funny You Should Ask” airing at 12:35 a.m., will quickly generate some revenue – which is especially important as CBS faces rising costs related to broadcasting NFL football games.

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Allen will supply two late-night programs to CBS, which is selling its time to the media mogul.

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Cheeks explained that returning to a live show format would require a new financial approach, unlike the previous model which involved a theater, band, live audience, a large staff, and frequent guests for each performance.

Cheeks explained that he’s a longtime fan of late-night talk shows. While traditional television viewership has changed, he believes late-night content still reaches a large audience, mostly through platforms like YouTube.

It’s getting harder for networks like CBS to profit from shows tied to current events because most people, especially younger audiences, are watching short clips on platforms like YouTube instead.

CBS isn’t currently working on a new late-night show, but they are exploring ideas, according to CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach. She explained that they’re simply having preliminary discussions right now.

CBS profits from “Comics Unleashed” because Tim Allen’s company pays for the show’s airtime and production. In exchange, Allen’s company gets the majority of the commercial slots during the program, which they can then sell to advertisers to help cover their expenses.

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The conclusion of the ‘Late Show’ marks a significant loss for a traditional TV show type that has struggled to stay popular and attract advertisers.

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Cheeks downplayed worries that Allen’s long-running syndicated shows wouldn’t meet CBS’s standards, praising Allen as a valuable collaborator.

“Comics Unleashed” currently airs at 12:35 a.m., but CBS is shifting it to 11:35 p.m. to give it better visibility by placing it right after local news broadcasts. “Funny You Should Ask” will now be shown at 12:35 a.m.

Cheeks believes Allen’s shows are well-made and offer a unique perspective. He noted that the programs represent a departure from typical formats, offering something different for viewers.

It’s been a rough year for CBS.

The past year has been challenging for the network, starting with a public disagreement with Donald Trump following a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris. This led to a $16 million payment to Trump to resolve the issue. Shortly after, there was controversy when Stephen Colbert’s show was briefly suspended after he described the settlement as a bribe.

I’m really excited about the changes happening at CBS News! Back in August, David Ellison and Skydance Media bought the network, and he quickly brought in Bari Weiss to lead CBS News. She’s already making some great moves, bringing in new people to really refresh things up. I think it’s a positive step for the future of the network.

Just over six weeks ago, Paramount won the competition to acquire certain assets from Warner Bros. Discovery. However, this deal is expected to create further challenges for Paramount, CBS, and the wider Hollywood production industry.

With Paramount changing owners last year, the NFL can now renegotiate its broadcasting contract with the network. This could raise the annual cost of the NFL broadcast by up to $1 billion, which might reduce the amount of money CBS has available for other shows.

Cheeks emphasized that how the company spends its money is always a key factor. He then pointed to a recent comment by David Ellison, who stated that investing in content is absolutely essential for the company’s future success.

CBS announced its fall lineup on Wednesday, featuring the return of LL Cool J in a new series, “NCIS: New York,” alongside Scott Caan. They’re also introducing a new legal drama called “Cupertino” from the creators of popular shows Robert and Michelle King. Rounding out the new offerings are “Einstein,” a comedy-drama, and “Eternally Yours,” a half-hour comedy about a vampire family.

Cheeks admitted that after 18 years, CBS wouldn’t finish the TV season with the most viewers. This year, NBC takes that top spot, thanks to huge ratings for the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics in February.

2026-04-16 01:01

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