CBS's $55M Late-Night Swing With Byron Allen: The Real Math Is Messier

CBS says its 11:35 time-buy with Byron Allen turns what it calls a roughly $40 million annual loss for The Late Show into about $15 million in profit, a $55 million swing, but the figures hinge on what is counted—whether only production costs against national ads or broader value like affiliate fees and local revenue. The article notes that Comics Unleashed’ (Allen’s show) performs far below Colbert’s ratings, raising questions about whether the savings justify the move, since ratings still influence affiliates, advertisers, and downstream viewing habits. Nielsen updates show Colbert’s finale drew strong total viewers while Comics Unleashed posted modest demo numbers, underscoring the ongoing tension between ratings and the economics of modern late-night.