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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[–] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Dumbass.

[–] hal_5700X@sh.itjust.works -4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

How?

[–] Mjpasta710@midwest.social 5 points 6 days ago (1 children)

You're ignoring their political context in the past. I think that's what they're driving at.

Even Johnny Carson made jokes about Watergate and other political figures - despite not having them as guests.

[–] hal_5700X@sh.itjust.works -3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I know late-shows of the past talked about politics. But late-shows had gotten more political over time. Mainly after 2016. Call me crazy, but I don't see a past late-night host doing Skibidi Biden.

[–] Mjpasta710@midwest.social 4 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

I get it. It's hard to look it up and easy to remember what you prefer.

I did check, I was there for some of it, all of the late night hosts of the early 2000's made more than a few political jokes. The pop culture jokes were even more utilized.

Some even had segments featuring political topics entirely.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_David_Letterman_sketches

The list even mentions "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches".

About Jay Leno:

"For 18 years, Jay Leno spent several minutes every weeknight on “The Tonight Show” making jokes about politicians, be it Bill Clinton, George W. Bush or whoever was in the news that day. That doesn’t include all of the years he guest hosted for Johnny Carson before getting the gig full-time"

https://www.vindy.com/life/ticket/2024/09/leno-brings-the-jokes-leaves-politics-behind/

What version of history are you deriving this opinion from?

[–] hal_5700X@sh.itjust.works -1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

My point is modern late-shows are more about pushing politics than being entertaining.

[–] Mjpasta710@midwest.social 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

So you are basing this on vibes and not about the facts.

Enjoy your vibes.

They don't align with the reality of the things you're commenting on.

[–] Auntievenim@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

Funny how that always happens innit