Core Viewpoint - CBS' decision to end "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" reflects broader challenges in the late-night television landscape, with implications for the future of traditional TV as streaming and changing consumer habits reshape the industry [1][6][19]. Industry Context - The cancellation of Colbert's show is seen as a potential indicator of the decline of late-night TV, especially as Disney's decision on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" looms [2][6]. - The production costs for late-night programs have increased significantly due to the rise of streaming services and changing viewer preferences, leading to a loss of advertising revenue as traditional pay TV subscriptions decline [7][10]. Financial Performance - "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" employed around 200 people and incurred annual losses of approximately $40 million, similar to "Jimmy Kimmel Live," which employs about 250 people [11]. - Paramount reported a 21% decline in first-quarter TV advertising revenue to $2.04 billion, largely due to the absence of the Super Bowl, with overall revenue for its TV segment down 13% [14]. - Disney's domestic linear networks saw a 3% decrease in quarterly revenue to $2.2 billion, attributed to lower ad revenue, although ESPN and sports-related advertising revenue increased [16]. Viewership Trends - Colbert's show averaged roughly 1.9 million viewers during the September-to-May period, with a significant portion of the audience over 65 years old, indicating a demographic shift in viewership [21]. - Kimmel's viewership also declined, averaging nearly 1.6 million viewers in the most recent period compared to previous years [22]. Strategic Decisions - CBS' cancellation of "The Late Show" has raised questions about whether alternative cost-saving measures could have been explored, as other networks have made adjustments to retain late-night programming [24].