Television viewers believe Paramount is terminating "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" due to political reasons, and many express disapproval
In a recent Yahoo survey conducted by YouGov, it has been revealed that more Americans (35%) believe Stephen Colbert's Late Show is "about right" politically, compared to those who find it "too political" (28%). This revelation comes amidst speculation surrounding the cancellation of the Late Show, with many questioning the financial losses claimed by Paramount as the sole cause.
The survey, conducted from July 24 to July 28, 2025, used a nationally representative sample of 1,729 U.S. adults, with a margin of error of approximately 3.1%. The poll was conducted in the immediate aftermath of Paramount's announcement about the Late Show.
Stephen Colbert, a sharp critic of President Trump, has been a subject of controversy due to his critical stance. Some have accused Paramount of canceling the Late Show to appease the Trump administration. This speculation gained momentum following last October's lawsuit by Trump against Paramount over the editing of an interview with his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, on CBS's 60 Minutes.
The cancellation of the Late Show has also been linked to a recent settlement between Paramount and Trump, with the studio agreeing to pay $16 million to his future presidential library. Colbert himself mocked the settlement on-air, calling it a "big fat bribe."
Despite the controversy, a majority of Americans still watch Colbert's content. When asked to select up to three favourite late-night talk show hosts, Colbert ties for first place with Jimmy Fallon (25%). However, more Americans (36%) believe Colbert is too critical of Donald Trump as a reason for the cancellation, compared to those who believe it's losing viewers (30%).
The partisan preferences of Americans also play a role in the reaction to the Late Show's demise. Democrats are six times more likely to disapprove of the decision than Republicans. This divide is further highlighted by the fact that more Americans (37%) believe Paramount is trying to curry favor with the Trump administration as a reason for canceling Stephen Colbert's show, compared to those who believe it's losing money (32%).
CBS, on the other hand, maintains that the decision was purely financial. However, Stephen Colbert himself has expressed his disapproval of Paramount's actions and questioned if anything could repair his trust in the company.
It is important to note that Paramount is currently involved in an $8 billion mega-merger with the Hollywood studio Skydance, which was recently approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This merger may have potential implications for the future of CBS's programming.
Stephen Colbert is scheduled to keep hosting the Late Show until it goes dark next May. As the end of an era approaches, the controversy surrounding the cancellation continues to unfold, leaving many Americans questioning the true reasons behind the decision.
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