Democratic politicians in Washington have called for a congressional investigation into the cancellation of CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Meanwhile, the Writers’ Guild has asked New York Attorney General Letitia James to launch a state-level probe.
The cancellation has sparked strong reactions from Democrats, who argue that the show was an important platform for their viewpoints. Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote on social media that “America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.”
Stephen Colbert’s show was known for its outspoken political commentary, often critical of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Frequent guests included Democratic politicians like Warren and Adam Schiff, as well as media figures such as CNN’s Jake Tapper and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow.
However, critics point out that the show was losing money for CBS, reportedly costing the network $40 to $50 million annually while pulling in between $15 and $20 million per year for Colbert himself. The show employed over 100 staffers and had a production cost of about $130 million.
Advertisers had also largely abandoned the program due to its declining audience, contributing to its financial losses. Industry observers note that late-night shows across major networks have seen a significant drop in advertising revenue over recent years.
Some commentators argue that Colbert’s focus on political messaging may have contributed to the show’s poor ratings and financial performance. Others see the cancellation as part of a broader shift in the media landscape away from politically charged entertainment.
The demand for an investigation comes amid a broader debate about the role of government and corporations in supporting politically aligned media and entertainment outlets. Some critics compare the situation to past controversies over public funding for outlets like NPR.
CBS has not commented on the calls for an investigation. The network is currently managing its business following recent losses and efforts to sell parts of its operations.
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