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WGA’s Political Conspiracy Claims: Is Colbert’s Cancellation Just Business?

BBG News

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has called for investigations into CBS concerning their choice to end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2026. The union claims there might be political manipulation linked to President Donald Trump, but the evidence seems to suggest a much more straightforward reason instead.

In simpler terms, the program was a significant drain on finances, losing millions each year, during a time when late-night television’s relevance is waning.

On July 17, 2025, I was taken aback as I learned that CBS decided to axe my beloved show, not long after I had jokingly criticized Paramount Global, their parent company, for settling a defamation lawsuit with Trump worth $16 million over an interview on 60 Minutes. Trump himself believes the actual value of the settlement to be around $35 million.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: Paramount claimed their decision to cancel the show was strictly based on financial difficulties during late-night programming, with no connection to its content or performance. However, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strongly disagreed, asserting that the timing of the cancellation hinted at a corporation ending the show underhandedly due to political pressure, whether explicit or implicit.

Instead of just suggesting, they strongly encouraged New York Attorney General Letitia James and California authorities to investigate potential bribery claims related to the canceled deal. They framed this cancellation as a forfeiture of “free speech rights in order to gain favor with the Trump Administration,” given Paramount’s proposed merger with Skydance.

The WGA’s statement emphasizes that on July 15th, Colbert referred to the Trump settlement as a “large, corrupt payment,” suggesting potential retribution. However, those within the industry present a contrasting perspective.

Matthew Belloni of Puck Journalist claims that The Late Show costs approximately $100 million each year to produce, and CBS consistently loses around $40 million due to it annually. This significant loss occurs in a market where advertising is shrinking, with streaming and social media platforms taking the lead. Belloni’s findings, corroborated by other sources, suggest that late-night shows are no longer as profitable as they used to be. Their declining audience and ad revenue make them an expensive luxury that many networks find hard to maintain.

Opponents of the WGA’s position suggest that it is an attempt to politicize a commercial choice, disregarding the wider decline of conventional late-night television. A recent analysis suggests that, regardless of any political influence, the financial aspects alone make the decision a necessary one.

Stephen Colbert’s show is expensive to make, costing over $100 million per year, and it’s also losing around $40 million annually according to Belloni on Bluesky. Some conservative commentators have jumped on this news, with President Trump himself expressing his approval, saying he enjoys the fact that Colbert was let go, viewing it as a victory over years of humor aimed at him from the show’s host.

The union is requesting inquiries, citing persistent assaults on the media by President Trump as a key factor. This demand coincides with wider Republican initiatives aimed at reducing funding for public broadcasting services such as PBS and NPR. The union links this issue to their own argument.

However, this point disregards Paramount’s open rejection and doubts expressed by the show’s team members, some of whom privately acknowledged the financial difficulties were common knowledge within the company. CBS co-CEO George Cheeks underscored that Colbert is an invaluable asset, and the network prefers to retire the series rather than replace him, suggesting that the format is deemed outdated by the network.

Critics argue that Hollywood unions such as the WGA, who often advocate for creative autonomy, are displaying hypocrisy by rallying around an alleged controversy to safeguard a costly high-profile production. Media expert Megyn Kelly stated that while the show’s anti-Trump stance might have driven away viewers, leading to its financial struggles, at the end of the day, “it’s a flop” in terms of ratings.

Many other late-night show hosts, such as Jimmy Kimmel, have expressed anger, yet they also grapple with the same challenges that arise in an ever-changing and fractured media environment.

Ultimately, the WGA’s efforts to implement probes might have unintended consequences, making it appear as though they are overstepping their bounds instead of exposing corporate wrongdoing.

In the face of late-night TV struggling with its waning relevance, demonstrated by declining viewership and escalating expenses, it seems that blaming Trump serves as an easy diversion from tough financial realities. Paramount’s merger remains uncertain, but terminating a money-losing program like The Late Show is simply good business strategy, not a politically motivated attack.

Instead, it’s clear that this ongoing situation sheds light on the insular world of Hollywood, where fiscal responsibility often plays second fiddle to expressing strong political views.

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2025-07-19 19:01

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