Why the 'timing is terrible' with Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' cancellation - Morning Joe - MSNBC

[Rhiannon12866]

"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will broadcast its final show in May, CBS said Thursday. The Morning Joe panel discusses. - Aired on 07/18/2025.

[WSHazel]

1. Scarborough is a bit off on the economics

There is a ton of money in streaming, and over time I expect it to be a lot more profitable for the content providers than cable was, because cable is a very expensive middleman. Netflix is a monster and incredibly profitable despite most of its original content being pretty bad. Peacock, Disney and Paramount have huge libraries and decades of strong content, but they rode out the linear cable game too long and are trying to catch up in streaming.

The Late Night Shows draw a lot of Youtube and rewatch streaming traffic, and actually represent a way for Paramount and Peacock to stay competitive despite being so far behind. Cancelling them is bad business, and I doubt any of the other companies are even considering cancelling their late night programs. But Redstone is trying to sell Paramount, and Trump could demand half of the proceeds at this point and she would probably pay it.

Welcome to a fascist economy.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. Oh, Good Grief! I'm a big fan of the late night shows and I post Colbert's and Seth Meyers' monologues every night

And I've actually been in the studio audience for two of them, David Letterman and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. And they seem to fill the theaters every single night. They were also very nice to the audience members, came out before the shows and answered audience questions - and David Letterman (after 30+ years) still came out afterwards and thanked everyone for coming and Jon Stewart remembered that a woman near me had asked about his notes, so he came out afterwards and gave them to her.

I'm really going to miss Colbert, I stuck with him when he broadcast from home during Covid.

[pazzyanne]

10. Me Also!

[atreides1]

2. Paramount!!!

I didn't think the 16 million was going to be the end. Colbert was not a friend to Trump and his cronies...I'm looking for more CBS content that doesn't tea bag Trump, to be "retired"!

[Rhiannon12866]

5. Every one of the late night shows lambast TFG

From Stephen Colbert to Jimmy Kimmel to Seth Meyers - as does John Oliver. Jimmy Fallon isn't quite as rough, but he still gives it to him, and he was known for having both Obamas on his show!

[WSHazel]

7. The Trump Administration is systematically destroying Paramount

It is making an example out of Paramount, as a message to every other media company that the fascists can do this to them too.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. The first news stories mentioned a potential settlement of $20 million

So they settled for $15 million and cancelled Colbert.

I get it he's a depreciated asset at this point, with perhaps little innovated upside, but it is the country's signature late night show.

Perhaps he'll land at another network?

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Well, ABC has Jimmy Kimmel, NBC has Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers and even HBO has John Oliver

I wonder how Jon Stewart feels about this - I believe he produces the show and the joke is that he resides under Stephen Colbert's desk and when he makes appearances, that's where he emerges from.

[happy feet]

8. He has the top rated late night show

Over all the other networks. (Depreciated?)

[bucolic_frolic]

9. Well ... upside from here, innovation, change in format.

Mature asset.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

11. An Eye for an Aye