New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office says CBS’ sudden cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will cost hundreds of local jobs — about a decade after the state wagered $16 million to keep the show in New York City.
Colbert announced the cancellation of “The Late Show” in front of a live audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway Thursday evening. The segment was later broadcast to the millions of viewers who watch the show every night.
Colbert, who has hosted the show since 2015, said its final episode will air in May, adding that he had only been informed about the cancellation on Wednesday.
CBS and its parent company Paramount did not reach out to the state before announcing its decision, according to Hochul’s office.
New York state gave CBS $16 million in tax breaks and grants in 2014 to keep “The Late Show” in New York amid the transition from the show’s founding host, David Letterman, to Colbert. That included $5 million to restore the historic Ed Sullivan Theater, where the show is taped.
Hochul “will continue doing everything she can” to support the film and television industry in the state, a spokesperson for her office said.
“The loss of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ is more than just the end of a television show,” spokesperson Kristin Devoe said when contacted by Gothamist. “It means the loss of hundreds of good-paying production jobs, lost income for dozens of vendors, and a hit to the local businesses that rely on the show’s daily audiences.”
Sen. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat who had appeared on Thursday’s show, denounced any “political reasons” that would have led to the cancellation.
Paramount is seeking the Trump administration’s approval for an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. CBS also recently agreed to pay Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit claiming “60 Minutes” deceptively edited an interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
In a statement, Paramount said the cancellation was “purely a financial decision.” The network declined to comment further.
“Our admiration, affection and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonizing decision even more difficult,” the company wrote.
Jon Campbell contributed reporting.
