CBS Shifts Late-Night Strategy: Byron Allen to Replace Stephen Colbert
CBS is ushering in a new era of late-night television by replacing The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with comedy programming from media mogul Byron Allen. In a move designed to drastically reduce programming costs, the network will transition its 11:35 p.m. And 12:35 a.m. Time slots to Allen’s productions starting this May.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will conclude its 11-year run on May 21. Colbert, who succeeded original host David Letterman, leaves behind a legacy as part of the first successful late-night franchise in CBS history. Starting May 22, the network will pivot from the traditional high-budget late-night format to a more cost-effective, outsourced model.
The New Late-Night Lineup
The revamped schedule will feature two programs produced by Allen Media Group:
- Comics Unleashed: Moving from its current 12:35 a.m. Slot to the prime 11:35 p.m. Hour, this talk show features Byron Allen and four comedians performing material from their stand-up routines. The show utilizes “evergreen” content, meaning it avoids topical gags to allow for repeats; some episodes airing on CBS are more than 10 years old.
- Funny You Should Ask: Taking over the 12:35 a.m. Slot, this comedy quiz show is hosted by Jon Kelley and has been in syndication since 2017. Byron Allen appears on the program as a panelist.
A Bold Economic Pivot for Paramount
The decision to replace a cornerstone late-night host with syndicated comedy is driven primarily by the bottom line. According to reports from the Los Angeles Times, this change represents major cost savings for Paramount-owned CBS.
Unlike traditional late-night shows that require massive investments in high-paid hosts, live bands and extensive writing staffs, Allen’s programs require zero production investment from the network. As detailed by Yahoo, Allen actually pays CBS for the airtime and covers all production costs. In exchange, Allen Media Group retains most of the commercial units, which the company then sells for profit.
Byron Allen has been vocal about his ambition for this specific time slot. In October 2025, shortly after CBS announced the end of The Late Show, Allen stated that he had been waiting fifty years for such an opportunity.
- The Date: Stephen Colbert signs off May 21; Byron Allen’s programming begins May 22.
- The Shows: Comics Unleashed (11:35 p.m.) and Funny You Should Ask (12:35 a.m.).
- The Financials: CBS eliminates production costs entirely, as Allen pays for the time and manages ad sales.
- The Format: A shift from topical, daily-written content to evergreen stand-up and quiz formats.
The End of an Era
This transition marks a significant departure from the “sofa-and-desk” format that has defined network late-night TV for decades. By outsourcing these hours to the Hollywood Reporter-verified “zero-cost” model, CBS is prioritizing profitability over the traditional prestige of a flagship late-night host.
As the industry continues to grapple with shifting viewership and rising production costs, the CBS and Byron Allen partnership serves as a case study in the commoditization of network time slots. The move signals a broader trend where legacy networks may increasingly rely on third-party media groups to fill airtime without the financial risk of internal production.