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Dave says

(5,187 posts)

64. Colbert's show had top ratings for their time slot so far in 2025

Fri Jul 18, 2025, 12:25 PM

Friday

I don't know what their P&L looked like in that time slot, but cancelling the top rated show in the (formerly) coveted 11:30 PM Eastern timeslot looks pretty damn peculiar to me.

Without more info (e.g., the show-based P&L), I'm hard pressed to agree with anyone who said this is simply a financial decision, not from the perspective of the show-based microcosm anyway (perhaps in the bigger picture for CBS and/or Paramount). Now, if it helped them get approval of sale or other political benefit on top of the microcosm P&L, then it starts to make sense. But sure looks like politics was part of the decision.

Broadcast TV -- even cable television -- is showing its dinosaur scales, so there is that. The rules of the game are changing. Streaming on demand is the rising star.

(Cite for ratings, https://latenighter.com/news/ratings/late-night-tv-ratings-q2-2025/ .)

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Highlight:

So Stephen Colbert joins the ranks [View all] SocialDemocrat61 Friday OP

I hope NBC doesn't cave - my guess would be Kimmel or O'Donnell. What a world we live in these days. walkingman Friday #1

they have beenscreaming "cancel culture" at democrats rampartd Friday #2

Nicole Wallace knows she could be a target. Irish_Dem Friday #3

Kimmel spoke for me: "Fuck you, CBS." Paladin Friday #4

Perfect response. Passages Friday #10

When/where did he say that? Amaryllis Friday #38

Just hours ago. Paladin Friday #41

I believe you; just wanted the context. Amaryllis Friday #70

Understood. Thanks for the clarification. (nt) Paladin Friday #72

I would guess Jimmy Kimmel will be next, Trump hates him. doc03 Friday #5

Network TV is dying. FalloutShelter Friday #6

It's opposition to Trump that's dying SocialDemocrat61 Friday #7

No question. FalloutShelter Friday #8

Yup this is exactly what they need to do newdeal2 Friday #11

That's a pretty odd way to silence a Trump critic Fiendish Thingy Friday #9

And sometimes bs is just bs SocialDemocrat61 Friday #12

Some at DU have accurate BS detectors Fiendish Thingy Friday #13

Who said anything about a conspiracy? SocialDemocrat61 Friday #14

Do you believe Colbert's cancellation was demanded by Trump as part of his settlement with CBS? Fiendish Thingy Friday #18

Because they need ten months to figure out what the hell to do with that slot,who to get, Bengus81 Friday #22

They've already decided what to do with his time slot. Fiendish Thingy Friday #24

So why not announce the firing in early Jan 2025? Why not announce in early May Bengus81 Friday #29

I'm talking about the Matlock reboot with Kathy Bates Fiendish Thingy Friday #32

The bar for re-running a series has been 100 shows for years,that show has 19 in the can. Bengus81 Friday #42

You're thinking about syndication Fiendish Thingy Friday #52

Never said that SocialDemocrat61 Friday #23

Got a link? Fiendish Thingy Friday #28

Here you go SocialDemocrat61 Friday #51

What's the difference? Fiendish Thingy Friday #55

It's asking a question SocialDemocrat61 Friday #58

Colbert's show had top ratings for their time slot so far in 2025 Dave says Friday #64

Just curious, where are your "links"? rubbersole Friday #57

I'm not claiming Colbert is being silenced Fiendish Thingy Friday #59

"I just find it interesting that several critics of Trump and his administration...have been fired!" Wiz Imp Friday #40

Voiding Colbert's contract Mz Pip Friday #37

More expensive than a $60 billion lawsuit from Trump? Fiendish Thingy Friday #46

Have a cite? (Kiddin') "end of season cancellation" could have been negotiated. I have no cite either. Dave says Friday #65

That perspective doesn't make sense to me Fiendish Thingy Friday #73

The Late Show was a cash cow Random Boomer Friday #15

Do you have the numbers? Fiendish Thingy Friday #19

Colbert is the top rated late night show. rubbersole Friday #25

Colbert is not the top rated late night show Fiendish Thingy Friday #30

What's Gutfeld's show like? BannonsLiver Friday #43

Not remotely funny. He's the least funny "comedian" ever. Wiz Imp Friday #50

Thank you. I had assumed the person I asked knew, because they seem REALLY excited about the ratings. BannonsLiver Friday #74

It's right wing "humor" which is never funny. Wiz Imp Friday #75

Conservative "humor" basically making fun of people. Punching down they think. underpants Friday #60

According to Google, Colbert is most often the highest rated. Joinfortmill Friday #45

You're comparing apples to oranges. Wiz Imp Friday #47

Not true, Colbert is top rated in the 11:30 pm eastern time slot - I provided a cite earlier Dave says Friday #67

You have to be kidding. Colbert was losing to Gutfeld? Seriously? Ouch! That's pathetic. Wiz Imp Friday #27

Gutfield has the top rated late night show on television. Nt Fiendish Thingy Friday #31

Wow. That's a sad statement about this country. Gutfeld may be the least funny "comedian" in history. Wiz Imp Friday #35

Which "conservative" based comedy TV shows does he compete against? RoeVWade Friday #39

He's on opposite all the 1130 late night shows Fiendish Thingy Friday #48

You're wrong Wiz Imp Friday #53

He still pulls in higher ratings regardless. Nt Fiendish Thingy Friday #56

Yes, in part because there are many more people watching TV period while it is airing than the number of people Wiz Imp Friday #63

Why does the truth matter? SocialDemocrat61 Friday #62

And it matters that it's conservative. Gutfeld would splinter more if there were other comedy talk shows on TV. RoeVWade Friday #54

I don't watch television, so I'm unsure, but isn't that Gut guy in a different time slot? Dave says Friday #66

There is absolutely zero evidence for that Wiz Imp Friday #61

All of the above orangecrush Friday #16

I hope Apple TV picks him up RainCaster Friday #17

Why not cancel now? edhopper Friday #20

Yepper... and just like how the Medicaid cuts don't kick in until two months Bengus81 Friday #26

I believe as someone said, it costs them to break Colbert's contract before it ends. RoeVWade Friday #49

He will challenge them to pull the plug early... lame54 Friday #71

our great orrex et tu Friday #21

If they dare to remove ODonnell, the war will break out for real. Joinfortmill Friday #33

They should join together ShepKat Friday #34

Even if it was financial, the timing of it was a bow to the orange turd. RoeVWade Friday #36

Please, dear Sky Daddy, please.... lastlib Friday #44

Google and Sirius await! It is not over! diehardblue Friday #68

kick Dawson Leery Friday #69

An Eye for an Aye LetMyPeopleVote Friday #76