New Paramount CEO Jeff Shell has shared his ideas on the altering panorama of tv, significantly in the case of late-night and its financial struggles.
As president of the newly merged Paramount, which Skydance just lately acquired, the previous NBCUniversal CEO is now again answerable for a broadcast community, which implies he oversees CBS and its programming and scheduling.
Talking with Deadline at a Los Angeles press occasion on Wednesday (August 13), Shell opened up about his plans for CBS, together with his ideas on late-night following the current cancellation of The Late Present With Stephen Colbert.
Shell famous that he wasn’t concerned within the choice to axe The Late Present, which occurred earlier than the merger was made official. Nonetheless, he informed the outlet that he supported the choice since late-night in its present type is not viable.
“Late-night has an enormous drawback proper now,” Shell stated.
Whereas he admitted that Colbert’s scores are on par along with his Late Present predecessor, David Letterman, Shell claimed, “The issue is that 80% of the viewership and rising is on YouTube.”
Shell added that with YouTube paying “45 cents on the greenback,” “you possibly can’t make it work economically anymore.”
The Late Present will air its remaining episode in Could 2026. Colbert is not going to get replaced; as a substitute, the long-running late-night franchise will finish for good. CBS beforehand cited monetary causes; nonetheless, others have speculated that the choice was made as a consequence of Colbert’s criticism of Paramount’s current settlement with Donald Trump.
Shell additionally touched on his plans for CBS’ 10 p.m. hour, after beforehand being a proponent of NBC dropping the hour when he was answerable for NBCUniversal. Nonetheless, he informed Deadline that he has a special outlook on the ten p.m. slot on CBS, saying it’s “more healthy” than NBC, pointing to the success of reveals like Blue Bloods and Elsbeth.
CBS will probably be hoping for continued success within the 10 pm slot with Blue Bloods spinoff Boston Blue, which is about to debut on Friday, October 17, after its premiere in Cannes at MIPCOM on October 12.
The Late Present With Stephen Colbert, Returns, Tuesday, September 2, 11:35/10:35c, CBS