CNN has struggled to find and keep talent. Most of their hosts have left the network.
But one CNN host has just made the most hilariously dumb claim you’ll hear this week.
On Thursday, CNN Chief Media Analyst Brian Stelter expressed dismay during a broadcast over CBS’s decision to cancel Stephen Colbert’s late-night program. The announcement came as a shock to many, given Colbert’s prominence in the late-night television landscape.
CBS revealed that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will conclude in May 2026, citing financial losses as the primary reason. The network stated that the show has become unprofitable, a situation that mirrors the earlier cancellation of The Late, Late Show with James Corden in 2023. Stelter questioned the timing of the decision, pointing out Colbert’s vocal criticism of President Donald Trump.
“Colbert is such an outspoken Trump critic. He’s just back from vacation and as he showed there on Monday on his first night back from vacation, he’s also a thorn in his parent company’s side,” Stelter told CNN host Anderson Cooper. “So this looks to a lot of Colbert’s fans like another form of capitulation by CBS to the president of the United States. If you look at Colbert’s Instagram page already, his fans are pouring their hearts out and blaming CBS for this.”
Stelter elaborated on the financial rationale behind the cancellation. “Here’s the reporting that I have just in the past few minutes, Anderson, about this financial explanation. Think back to 2023, when ‘The Late, Late Show with James Corden’ went off the air. I reported at the time that that show had become unprofitable, that CBS was not able to sell enough ads to make that show profitable,” he said. “Well, that is now the case for Colbert as well. I’m told by a source close to the network that ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ is now technically unprofitable. So that does give the company a financial reason to end the show starting in May 2026.”
The abrupt nature of the decision raised eyebrows, as Stelter noted that Colbert was not offered opportunities to adjust the show’s format or budget. “However, it’s not as if Colbert was given a chance to take a pay cut or maybe change the format of the show, or move out of the Ed Sullivan theater,” he said. He also pointed to the looming Paramount-Skydance merger, led by Larry Ellison, a known associate of President Trump, and his son, David, suggesting potential external influences on the decision. “So there may be a lot more to this story. It’s just happened in the past hour, but there’s a lot more reporting to do on this.”
The cancellation follows CBS’s recent settlement of a $10 billion lawsuit from President Trump, stemming from the network’s editing of an October 2024 interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s 2024 election opponent. The settlement drew internal criticism at CBS, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the network’s decisions.
Left-Wing Media Struggles Against Fox’s Dominance
The cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is a symptom of challenges facing traditionally left-leaning mainstream media outlets like CBS, CNN, and MSNBC as they struggle to maintain viewership and influence against Fox News. These networks, once dominant in shaping public discourse, are grappling with declining ratings, financial pressures, and a shifting media landscape.
Fox News has consistently outperformed its competitors in recent years, maintaining a stronghold on cable news viewership. According to Nielsen ratings data from 2024, Fox News averaged 2.5 million primetime viewers, significantly outpacing CNN’s 1.2 million and MSNBC’s 1.4 million. This gap has widened as Fox has capitalized on a loyal audience base, particularly among conservative viewers, while left-leaning networks face fragmentation in their audience due to competition from digital platforms and streaming services.
One factor in Fox’s dominance is its ability to maintain a cohesive brand identity that resonates with its viewers. The network’s opinion-driven programming, led by hosts like Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham, appeals to a dedicated demographic that values consistency in messaging. In contrast, CBS, CNN, and MSNBC have faced criticism for inconsistent narratives and perceived bias, which has eroded trust among some viewers. A 2023 Pew Research study found that only 22% of Americans trust CNN and MSNBC for political news, compared to 34% for Fox News among its core audience.
Financial pressures are also hitting left-leaning networks harder. CBS’s decision to cancel Colbert’s show due to unprofitability highlights the economic realities of producing high-cost content in a declining ad market. Similarly, CNN has undergone multiple rounds of layoffs and budget cuts since 2022, with reports indicating a 15% reduction in staff by mid-2025. MSNBC, while maintaining a stable lineup, has struggled to attract younger viewers, with its median viewer age hovering around 68, according to 2024 demographic data.
The rise of digital media has further complicated the landscape. Platforms like YouTube and streaming services offer on-demand content that competes with traditional cable news. Left-leaning outlets have been slower to adapt to these platforms, while Fox News has invested heavily in its streaming service, Fox Nation, which reported 1.8 million subscribers in 2024. This digital pivot has allowed Fox to reach younger audiences, a demographic where CNN and MSNBC lag.
Political polarization has also played a role. Left-leaning networks often cater to progressive audiences, but their messaging can alienate moderate viewers. Fox News, by contrast, has successfully tapped into a broad conservative base while maintaining appeal among independents, according to a 2024 Gallup poll.
The Paramount-Skydance merger, mentioned by Stelter, could signal more changes for CBS. With Skydance’s leadership tied to influential figures like Larry Ellison, there is speculation that CBS may shift its programming to appeal to a broader or less politically charged audience. Meanwhile, CNN and MSNBC face their own strategic pivots, with CNN experimenting with new formats like town halls and MSNBC doubling down on progressive commentary to retain its base.
