Paramount Boss Weighs In on Colbert Cancellation & Why Late-Night Is a ‘Huge Problem’
New Paramount CEO Jeff Shell has shared his thoughts on the changing landscape of television, particularly when it comes to late-night and its economic struggles.
As president of the newly merged Paramount, which Skydance recently acquired, the former NBCUniversal CEO is now back in charge of a broadcast network, which means he oversees CBS and its programming and scheduling.
Speaking with Deadline at a Los Angeles press event on Wednesday (August 13), Shell opened up about his plans for CBS, including his thoughts on late-night following the recent cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Shell noted that he wasn’t involved in the decision to axe The Late Show, which happened before the merger was made official. However, he told the outlet that he supported the decision since late-night in its current form is no longer viable.
“Late-night has a huge problem right now,” Shell said.
While he admitted that Colbert’s ratings are on par with his Late Show predecessor, David Letterman, Shell claimed, “The problem is that 80% of the viewership and growing is on YouTube.”
Shell added that with YouTube paying “45 cents on the dollar,” “you can’t make it work economically anymore.”
The Late Show will air its final episode in May 2026. Colbert will not be replaced; instead, the long-running late-night franchise will end for good. CBS previously cited financial reasons; however, others have speculated that the decision was made due to Colbert’s criticism of Paramount’s recent settlement with Donald Trump.
Shell also touched on his plans for CBS’ 10 p.m. hour, after previously being a proponent of NBC dropping the hour when he was in charge of NBCUniversal. However, he told Deadline that he has a different outlook on the 10 p.m. slot on CBS, saying it’s “healthier” than NBC, pointing to the success of shows like Blue Bloods and Elsbeth.
CBS will be hoping for continued success in the 10 pm slot with Blue Bloods spinoff Boston Blue, which is set to debut on Friday, October 17, after its premiere in Cannes at MIPCOM on October 12.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Returns, Tuesday, September 2, 11:35/10:35c, CBS
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I don't care what CBS puts on late night, I will not watch it. Colbert was number 1 in late night and they can't make money, sounds like a management problem to me.
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There is so much government overreach They might as well put on propaganda television and play it on a loop like China and Russia. Freedom of speech in America seems to be dead Now the orange band is trying to erase history when it comes to the Smithsonian what's next???
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Where was the outrage when facebook and Twitter were being censored under the Biden regime?
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Social media has nothing to do with the Smithsonian or the destruction of our democracy Anyone that goes against the opinions of Trump Pay the price just like a dictator in Russia or China.
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From the article-"CBS previously cited financial reasons; however, others have speculated that the decision was made due to Colbert’s criticism of Paramount’s recent bribe with donald trump." Let's get real, it's MORE so Colbert telling the truth about the orange skid-mark, than a financial concern. BOTH are possible.
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I am irked that, after the longstanding support of loyal fans of all the iterations of NCIS on CBS, the Tony and Zeva show is only playing on Paramount+, a subscription service. Although after torpedoing Blue Bloods,I shouldn’t be surprised. Loyalty only goes one way on network tv.
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Neither of them could act, so...
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That’s basically true of the whole franchise.
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Uh, bending over and taking it, from the orange skid-mark is a BIGGER problem.
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He makes reference to the success of the 10 o'clock hours with shows like "Blue Bloods," so why did they cancel it? I would love to hear that explanation.
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I’m a full time streamer. I watch what I want, and when I want to. I have left ABC, CBS and NBC completely. Our local ABC affiliate has become independent and carries local and world news coverage so I’m not missing a thing and saving money to boot.
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How many of the same type of shows do we need?
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Maybe they can go back to when it was just "The CBS Late Movie" after the local news: first showing reruns of one of their popular prime-time shows before then segueing to either a classic M-G-M picture or something from only a few years back (with judicial editing of language, sex, and violence...)
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I want to watch shows when I want to watch. I never watch legacy TV channels. Much happier to see the YouTube clips or steam something on Paramount.
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Why wait until May 2026? We are so-tired of talk shows and other mediums who spew and profit from partisan-driven agendas! It only divides America. I say REMOVE ALL POLITICS!
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