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Conan O'Brien comments on late-night shifts
O'Brien urges focus on storytelling as networks rethink late-night amid budget cuts and Paramount sale
Conan O'Brien speaks at a Hall of Fame ceremony about shifts in late-night TV and praises Colbert while noting industry fears.
Conan O'Brien sounds the alarm about late night while praising Stephen Colbert
At the TV Academy Hall of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles, Conan O'Brien called attention to a wary mood around the future of television and said the industry is undergoing seismic change. He also noted CBS will end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026 for financial reasons, a move that comes as Paramount undergoes a regulatory review tied to its sale. O'Brien argued that the disruption matters less than how people stay connected to storytelling and talent.
He offered a hopeful framing, saying streaming changes the pipeline but not the core value of strong storytelling and brave creators. He added that Colbert will evolve and shine in a format he controls, underscoring a belief that quality work can survive shifts in delivery.”
Key Takeaways
"Streaming changes the pipeline, but the connection, the talent, the ideas that come into our homes, I think it's the focus."
O'Brien on streaming and core values
"There is a lot of fear about the future of television, and rightfully so."
O'Brien on industry anxiety
"Technology can do whatever they want. It can make television a pill. It can make television shows a high-protein, chewable, vanilla-flavored capsule with added fiber."
O'Brien on tech and content quality
"Colbert is going to evolve and shine brighter than ever in a new format that he controls completely."
O'Brien on Colbert's future
The remarks reveal a key tension in a crowded media landscape: budgets and strategy collide with the demand for authentic, human storytelling. The decision to end a marquee late-night show spotlight how networks balance costs with audience expectations. Yet the ceremony also hints at resilience, as seasoned hosts remind viewers that the heart of late-night lives in the connection between performers and audiences. The long-term question is how much audience loyalty will follow talent into new formats and platforms, and whether investors will reward that risk.
Highlights
- Stories outlive the channel that carries them.
- Streaming changes the pipeline but the connection remains the focus.
- Bravery and goodwill keep creators honest and brave.
- The industry will evolve, not disappear.
Financial and regulatory risks around late-night changes
The cancellation of a flagship show and a major network sale create financial and regulatory uncertainty. Investor confidence and audience reaction could influence how aggressively networks pursue cost cuts and new formats.
The craft of storytelling remains the benchmark in a shifting screen world.
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