CBS has decided to cancel Stephen Colbert’s late-night show, which has sparked a variety of reactions. Governor Tim Waltz of Minnesota, a Democrat, recently noted his admiration for Colbert, claiming he has always been a staunch critic of those in power. Some Democrats seem to be in a frenzy over the cancellation, suggesting it might be CBS’s move to align with the Trump administration. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif) expressed concern by saying that if this decision stems from political motives, the public has a right to know. In a similar vein, the writers of the show are calling on New York Attorney General Letitia James to investigate the matter.
Many remember a time when late-night comedy was a staple in evening entertainment, particularly during the Johnny Carson era. Paramount, which owns CBS, is currently seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission for a merger, and CBS has stated that the cancellation is purely a financial decision, unrelated to the show’s content or performance.
Colbert reportedly faced a loss of $40 million last year, which is quite significant, especially given that he garnered the best ratings for late-night shows not hosted by Fox’s Greg Gutfeld. This financial hit brings to light the changing landscape of late-night TV, where viewership and profits have plummeted compared to the past. Carson’s show once generated annual profits between $50 million to $100 million, reaching a staggering audience of 50 million for a single episode in 1969. In contrast, Colbert averaged about 1.9 million viewers in May 2025, with ad revenues dropping 40% since 2018.
Young audiences today are shifting their viewing habits towards platforms like TikTok and YouTube, consuming content in different formats. This change in demographics may explain the heightened concerns among some Democrats regarding the cancellation. Historically, late-night shows have influenced political discourse, serving as a vehicle for criticism of conservative figures, especially Donald Trump.
A study from the Annenberg Communications School pointed out that humorous news segments are often more memorable and shareable than typical news clips, underscoring the impact of comedy on political awareness. Research during the 2024 presidential campaign spotlighted a disparity in coverage, with late-night shows focusing heavily on Trump while giving much less attention to Kamala Harris.
Further analysis revealed that late-night hosts predominantly featured liberal guests, leading to accusations of bias.
Overall, the dynamics of late-night television seem to be shifting, raising questions about what the future holds for such programs.
