Colbert Late Show Streaming Revenue Falls Behind Late-Night Peers

equation, along with advertising, licensing, and brand partnerships. In today’s media landscape, driving subscription revenue has become a top priority for platforms.

Despite generating less streaming revenue than its late-night counterparts, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” remains immensely popular. In fact, in the first half of this year, it was the third most in-demand late-night series in the US, with nearly 36 times the average series demand. This shows that the show has strong viewer interest and cultural significance across different platforms.

The disconnect between the show’s popularity and its streaming revenue showcases the challenges faced by legacy media companies in adapting to the streaming-first era. Paramount+ may have struggled to fully capture the value of “The Late Show’s” loyal fan base due to platform-specific limitations.

Looking ahead, the industry must grapple with how to evolve content strategies in a landscape where streaming ROI is a key metric. As the late-night genre navigates this shift, there is hope that adapting to the new streaming-first reality can help these shows survive and thrive.

While questions about the relevance of late-night talk shows persist, this data suggests that there is potential for growth and adaptation in the genre. By exploring new ways to leverage streaming platforms and monetize content, late-night shows like “The Late Show” can continue to resonate with audiences in the evolving entertainment landscape.