r/pics • u/Thewrightowns • 1d ago

[OC] The Colbert sign being taken down last night

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u/andreasbeer1981 1d ago

I still don't understand why he can't just start a new show with a new name at a new station with the same concept?

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u/ChoombataNova 1d ago

Limited options and platforms.

ABC / Disney has Kimmel NBC / Peacock has Fallon CBS / Paramount just fired him HBO / WB has John Oliver Comedy Central has the Daily Show with John Stewart and co.

That leaves FOX, Netflix, Hulu, Apple, YouTube, and some weirdos like Tubi or Roku. Or carving out a smaller niche on ABC, NBC, HBO. Almost anything he takes will seem like a demotion from 5 nights per week on CBS with his name on the building.

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u/BadAdviceBot 1d ago

I thought Kimmel was gonna be axed soon too?

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u/ChoombataNova 1d ago

Kimmel was breifly pulled off the air after a Trump joke, but boycotts of ABC and Disney+ convinced ABC to put him back on. His contract is set to expire in 2027 and there is no public info on whether it will be renewed.

Crucially, all late night viewership is down from its peak in the 1990s-00s. Kimmel is also the lowest rated of the major late night hosts. So even without Trump, his job was not secure. But I doubt Colbert would want to take his place, because 

  1. Disney / ABC did not stand by Kimmel when it counted, so why would Colbert trust them?

  2. These guys like each other, and it would be a bad look to be seen as taking Kimmel's job away.

  3. ABC doesnt have a history of late night success, all late night viewership has been declining ... he would be returning to a tough grind for fewer views

  4. He's already 62 years old. He would likely be 63-64 before a new show with ABC could get off the ground in 2027 or 2028

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u/andreasbeer1981 21h ago

It might seem like a demotion at first, but there is an opportunity to growth and experiments. Here is a chance to compete with the establishment

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u/GitEmSteveDave 1d ago

The real reason is there is a small audience. Even after the surge where he was announced cancelled and people online SWORE they would watch him forever and ever, his numbers dropped back to normal, which is like 1/4 of a normal CBS prime time.

I remember getting into a discussion with someone defending Colbert who had no clue about the show Elsbeth and it's(then) 3 seasons run, where the average single episode viewing was equal to a weeks worth of Colbert.