Jul 23, 2025 03:08 AM
Paramount Global: Out with Stephen Colbert, in with "South Park"?
https://www.outkick.com/analysis/stephen...ift-comedy
INTRO: Nothing says vibe shift more than Paramount Global canceling "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and then investing $1.5 billion into "South Park" two days later.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported that Paramount has reached an agreement with "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the streaming rights to air the foul-mouthed sitcom on Paramount+. The new five-year deal will pay Parker and Stone an annual fee of $300 million. In addition, the co-creators will produce 10 new episodes a year.
Sure, the likes of Brian Stelter and Jake Tapper will juxtapose the two decisions as proof that Paramount canceled Colbert in an attempt to appease Donald Trump as it awaits federal clearance for a proposed merger with Skydance Media. But that's not actually true. Trump didn't decide Colbert's fate. The market did.
Though Colbert was the top-rated late-night host in the 11:30 pm ET time slot, his program made the least amount of money.
According to various reports, the show lost an average of $40 million a year. Colbert was not as popular among the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic as he needed to be to justify production costs of around $100 million. CBS also struggled to monetize the program on social media, The New York Times reports.
By contrast, "South Park" is one of the world’s most valuable television franchises. Paramount also had to outbid streaming competitors like HBO Max, which has licensed the series since 2019, to bring the show to Paramount+... (MORE - details)
https://www.outkick.com/analysis/stephen...ift-comedy
INTRO: Nothing says vibe shift more than Paramount Global canceling "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and then investing $1.5 billion into "South Park" two days later.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported that Paramount has reached an agreement with "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the streaming rights to air the foul-mouthed sitcom on Paramount+. The new five-year deal will pay Parker and Stone an annual fee of $300 million. In addition, the co-creators will produce 10 new episodes a year.
Sure, the likes of Brian Stelter and Jake Tapper will juxtapose the two decisions as proof that Paramount canceled Colbert in an attempt to appease Donald Trump as it awaits federal clearance for a proposed merger with Skydance Media. But that's not actually true. Trump didn't decide Colbert's fate. The market did.
Though Colbert was the top-rated late-night host in the 11:30 pm ET time slot, his program made the least amount of money.
According to various reports, the show lost an average of $40 million a year. Colbert was not as popular among the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic as he needed to be to justify production costs of around $100 million. CBS also struggled to monetize the program on social media, The New York Times reports.
By contrast, "South Park" is one of the world’s most valuable television franchises. Paramount also had to outbid streaming competitors like HBO Max, which has licensed the series since 2019, to bring the show to Paramount+... (MORE - details)