Byron Allen’s Late Night Takeover Will Save CBS Over $150 Million
*Byron Allen is preparing for a major late-night television expansion as “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen” moves into the former home of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” beginning May 22. Under the new schedule, “Comics Unleashed” will air two back-to-back half-hour episodes starting at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT. The late-night lineup will continue with two […] The post Byron Allen’s Late Night Takeover Will Save CBS Over $150 Million appeared first on EURweb | Black News, Culture, Entertainment & More.
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*Byron Allen is preparing for a major late-night television expansion as “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen” moves into the former home of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” beginning May 22.
Under the new schedule, “Comics Unleashed” will air two back-to-back half-hour episodes starting at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT. The late-night lineup will continue with two half-hour installments of “Funny You Should Ask,” hosted by Jon Kelley. Viewers with Paramount+ Premium will also be able to watch through their local CBS affiliate feed. Colbert’s “Late Show” concludes on May 21, with CBS citing the financial realities of late-night television as the reason for the change.
Allen acknowledged he did not expect CBS to move on from Colbert, but he quickly recognized the opening as both a business and audience-building opportunity, TheWrap reports. Discussing the economics behind the switch, Allen said, “Between the two time periods, they’re saving approximately $150 million+ per year, just on production and marketing.”
He also noted that the figure does not include the amount he is paying for the slot. “That does not include what I’m paying [for the time slot]. So it’s a great deal for CBS,” Allen explained, while declining to reveal the financial terms of the agreement.
Allen intentionally chose May 22 for the launch date, marking the anniversary of Johnny Carson’s 1992 retirement from late night television. Reflecting on the timing, Allen said, “CBS wanted me to premiere Sept. 21 and I said, ‘No, let’s do it Friday, May 22.’ What people don’t realize is that was my hero Johnny Carson’s last night.”
He added, “Normally, you would premiere in September, but I said ‘No, no, no, no. That’s when Johnny stepped down. That’s when I’m stepping up’.”
Allen also shared his enthusiasm for the new programming block, saying, “I truly appreciate CBS’ confidence in me by picking up our two-hour comedy block of ‘COMICS UNLEASHED’ and ‘FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK,’ because the world can never have enough laughter.”
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Byron Allen’s Comedy Block to Replace Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ on CBS
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The post Byron Allen’s Late Night Takeover Will Save CBS Over $150 Million appeared first on EURweb | Black News, Culture, Entertainment & More.
