CBS says its decision to end Stephen Colbert’s late-night comedy show is financial, not political. Yet even with the ample skepticism about that explanation, there’s no denying the economics were not working in Colbert’s favor.

Trump, who has called in the past for CBS to terminate Colbert’s contract, celebrated the show’s upcoming demise. “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired,” the president wrote on Truth Social. “His talent was even less than his ratings".

As recently as 2018, broadcast networks took in an estimated $439 million in advertising revenue for its late-night programs, according to the advertising firm Guidelines. Last year, that number dwindled to $220 million.

Late-night TV was a particular draw for young men, considered the hardest-to-get and most valuable demographic for advertisers. Increasingly, these viewers are turning to streaming services, either to watch something else entirely or catch highlights of the late-night shows, which are more difficult for the networks to monetize.

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[–] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Same TV here (LG C3) and I use it to watch Plex, but i also bought an HD Homerun (network TV tuner) and an antenna just to have some local channels available and to catch the occasional Price is Right episode.

I watched a lot of late night growing up (mostly Conan) but haven't watched it since around the time the whole Conan/Leno fiasco happened at NBC. It doesn't really serve much purpose these days other than advertisements for movies and TV shows.