Ratings Drop Sharply as CBS Replaces Stephen Colbert with Byron Allen Show

Stephen Colbert's long-running late-night program ended with a series finale that attracted 6.7 million viewers. His replacement on CBS, Byron Allen's 'Comics Unleashed,' premiered to just 995,000 viewers, highlighting a significant drop in audience. Late-night competitors Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon drew over 1.5 million viewers each on the same night. Analysts and Colbert himself have suggested that the cancellation of his show was influenced by criticism from former President Donald Trump, despite CBS citing financial reasons. Reports indicate that Trump may have personally pressured the network's parent company, contributing to Colbert's departure. Interestingly, Colbert's appearance on the public access show 'Only in Monroe' achieved nearly the same viewership as Allen's premiere, with 928,000 views on YouTube. Industry experts point to the challenge CBS faces in filling the gap left by Colbert's departure, emphasizing the loyal late-night audience Colbert had built over the years. The ratings discrepancy underscores both the influence of political controversies in entertainment and the difficulty of launching a new program in an established late-night slot.