CBS has faced a significant ratings decline after replacing The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen. The new program, which debuted in the coveted 11:35 p.m. timeslot, drew only 995,000 viewers on its first night, according to industry reports.
Colbert's Final Season Ratings
During its final season, The Late Show was the most-watched late-night talk show in America, averaging 2.7 million viewers. For Colbert's emotional farewell on May 21, viewership surged to 6.74 million. However, the following evening, Comics Unleashed managed less than half of Colbert's average audience.
Comparison with Competitors
The debut also lagged behind other late-night programs. NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon attracted 1.5 million viewers on Friday, while ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! drew 1.6 million, despite airing a rerun.
Byron Allen's Vision
Byron Allen, the host and a billionaire media executive, has stated he is not trying to replicate Colbert's success. "At the end of the day, I'm not trying to replace Colbert," Allen told NPR. He emphasized that Comics Unleashed has its own identity, having been on the air since 2006, and focuses on a diverse panel of comedians rather than political satire.
Show Format and History
Comics Unleashed features Allen alongside a rotating panel of stand-up comedians who discuss topical stories and perform short routines. The show previously occupied CBS's post-midnight slot after James Corden's departure from The Late Late Show. It returned in 2025 under a time-buy agreement, with Allen Media Group purchasing airtime and handling advertising sales. CBS announced in April 2026 that the program would move to the 11:35 p.m. slot after Colbert's show ended.
Context of the Cancellation
CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show franchise in July 2025, days after Colbert criticized Paramount for settling a dispute with President Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview. Colbert was a prominent critic of Trump, often mocking him and right-wing media figures in his monologues.
