CBS announced on Monday that it will be putting an end to the iconic ‘Late Show’ franchise, which has been a staple of late-night television for decades. The decision was made as part of a “financial decision” to cut costs within the network.
The ‘Late Show’ franchise, which includes the popular shows ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ and ‘Late Show with Stephen Colbert’, has been a mainstay in the late-night television landscape since 1993. The shows have featured some of the biggest names in entertainment and have become known for their comedic and political commentary.
However, as the media landscape continues to shift and with the rise of streaming services, traditional networks like CBS have been facing financial challenges. In a statement, the network explained their decision to retire the ‘Late Show’ franchise, saying, “We have made the difficult decision to retire the ‘Late Show’ franchise in order to cut costs and remain competitive in the current media landscape.”
While the news may come as a shock to fans of the franchise, CBS has assured that they will continue to support their current late-night programming, including ‘The Late Late Show with James Corden’ and ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’. The network also plans to introduce new late-night shows in the near future.
The decision to retire the ‘Late Show’ franchise is just the latest in a series of cost-cutting moves made by CBS. Last month, the network announced that they would be merging with Viacom to form a new company, ViacomCBS, in an effort to cut costs and remain competitive in the ever-evolving media landscape.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among fans and industry experts. Some have expressed disappointment at the end of an era, while others have pointed out that the move was inevitable as networks struggle to adapt to the changing media landscape.
One thing is for sure, the retirement of the ‘Late Show’ franchise will leave a void in the late-night television scene. The shows have not only entertained audiences but have also been a platform for important discussions and political commentary. The loss of the franchise will be felt not just by fans but also by the industry as a whole.
As for the future of late-night television, only time will tell how the landscape will continue to evolve. But one thing is certain, the ‘Late Show’ franchise will always be remembered as a groundbreaking and iconic part of late-night television history.