How Stephen Colbert's Replacement Is Helping Tank the Rest of CBS
8 hours ago
- #television-ratings
- #CBS-programming
- #late-night-tv
- CBS replaced Stephen Colbert's Late Show with Byron Allen's Comics Unleashed under a new cost-saving model, but ratings dropped 64%.
- Lower ratings in the late-night slot could negatively impact other CBS programs, especially morning shows and local news, due to viewer habits.
- Media experts note that a popular late-night show historically boosts morning ratings, as viewers often leave TVs on the same channel.
- CBS argues the new model turns a $40 million annual loss into a $15 million profit, despite lower ratings, by shifting to a 'time buy' arrangement.
- Industry insiders suggest cross-time slot benefits are less relevant in the streaming era, but live sports still provide indirect audience draws.
- Byron Allen acknowledges he won't replace Colbert's audience, focusing instead on his existing fanbase and rejecting offensive humor.