Kimmel Defends Colbert Amid CBS Cancellation Claims

During a discussion on ABC’s Live, host Jimmy Kimmel addressed the rumors surrounding CBS’s Late Show with Stephen Colbert, suggesting that Colbert’s program has suffered significant viewership losses, speculated to be tens of millions. Amidst comments from President Donald Trump and various media outlets, Kimmel firmly stated, “The notion that Stephen Colbert’s show has lost $40 million a year is essentially meaningless.” He referred to insider reports claiming losses of $40 to $50 million annually, which Colbert didn’t deny.

Kimmel pointed out that these insiders seem to focus solely on advertising revenue, neglecting other income sources like affiliate fees. He further questioned the validity of the claims, humorously asserting, “There’s no chance in hell that he’s suddenly losing $40 million a year. In the first decade of my show, they claimed we weren’t profitable, and we had five times the audience.”

Kimmel also hinted that the merger between Paramount and Skydance may have been a factor in the risks associated with Colbert’s show, suggesting that it reflects a broader trend affecting comedians and commentators alike. “If Joe Biden were to attempt to silence Sean Hannity, I’d actually support Hannity in that case. One of the bedrock principles of this country is free speech, and that shouldn’t be conditional on agreement,” he added.

In a separate part of his interview, Kimmel reflected on Trump’s recent troubles, noting how the former president was booed at a WWE event. “That really brightened my day. It suggests that maybe America is starting to catch on,” he remarked, indicating a shift in public sentiment.