ENTERTAINMENT

Late-Night TV's Tough Times: Is Colbert's Exit Just About Money?

New York, USASat Jul 19 2025

CBS has decided to end Stephen Colbert's late-night show, citing financial reasons. However, many speculate that politics may have played a role.

Late-Night TV Faces Challenges

  • Advertising Revenue Drops:
  • 2018: $439 million
  • 2023: $220 million

  • Young Men Shift to Streaming:
  • Traditional TV networks lose audience to YouTube, Netflix, and other platforms.

Colbert's Criticism of Trump

  • Colbert has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump.
  • Some believe this criticism may have influenced CBS's decision.

CBS's Financial Claims

  • CBS insists the decision is purely financial.
  • Colbert recently criticized CBS for paying Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit.
  • Some speculate CBS may be avoiding further conflict with Trump.

The Future of Late-Night TV

  • Other hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Jon Stewart face changes.
  • Trump celebrates Colbert's exit, calling it a win.
  • Many see it as a sign of bigger problems in the TV industry.

questions

    How might the shift to streaming services impact the diversity of voices and perspectives in late-night comedy?
    If Kimmel follows Colbert, will Trump start a late-night show himself just to troll everyone?
    How do the declining advertising revenues in late-night TV impact the overall financial health of broadcast networks?

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