Meet Byron Allen, the comic media mogul who’s taking over CBS late night
Politics-free comedy show Comics Unleashed replaces Stephen Colbert's slot as CBS pursues a cheaper late-night model that Allen claims will save over $100 million annually.
- On Friday, media mogul Byron Allen took over CBS's 11:35 p.m. slot with Comics Unleashed, replacing The Late Show following its more than three-decade run on the network.
- Allen's program operates as a 'time buy,' where the producer leases airtime from the network. He told The Wrap that CBS will save approximately $150 million+ per year in production and marketing costs.
- Allen told CNN's Michael Smerconish, "We don't talk about politics," as Comics Unleashed focuses on stand-up routines, contrasting sharply with predecessor Stephen Colbert's topical humor.
- Expanding his media empire, Allen owns The Weather Channel and recently bought a controlling stake in BuzzFeed for $120 million, having created Comics Unleashed in 2006.
- Inspired by Johnny Carson, who hosted The Tonight Show for 30 years, Allen debuted on that show at 18 and views the CBS slot as fulfillment of a lifelong ambition.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Byron Allen Salutes 'the Great' Stephen Colbert as 'Comics Unleashed' Takes Over 'Late Show' Slot
Byron Allen has officially stepped in as Stephen Colbert’s successor in the 11:35 p.m. ET slot on CBS, and he made sure to address the honor on Friday. At the start of Friday’s broadcast for “Comics Unleashed,” which was named as the replacement for “The Late Show” back in April, Allen shouted out the late night “pioneers” that paved the way for him. Specifically, he named “the great Stephen Colbert,” as well as Bill Maher, Chelsea Handler, John…
Quién es Byron Allen, el comediante convertido en magnate de los medios que se quedará con la programación nocturna de CBS
Por Jordan Valinsky, CNN Byron Allen tuvo su gran oportunidad como comediante adolescente en “The Tonight Show” de Johnny Carson. Casi cinco décadas después, regresa a la televisión nocturna no solo como comediante, sino como un multimillonario magnate de los medios con un imperio extenso y poco convencional. Allen es dueño de The Weather Channel. Recientemente adquirió una participación mayoritaria en BuzzFeed. Ha realizado ofertas llamativas, …
By Jordan Valinsky, CNN Byron Allen had his big chance as a teenage comedian on Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show”. Almost five decades later, he returns to night television not only as a comedian, but as a multimillionaire media mogul with an extensive and unconventional empire. Allen owns The Weather Channel. He recently acquired a majority stake in BuzzFeed. He has made striking, but fruitless offers, by Paramount, ABC, BET and Tegna. He has …
Late night has enough political humor already, says host stepping into Colbert's slot : NPR's Newsmakers
Byron Allen, the media mogul and former stand-up comedian, is gearing up for his latest venture: bringing his show Comics Unleashed to the CBS time slot long held by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.In this episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, Allen sat down with NPR’s Ailsa Chang ahead of his debut episode. He discussed his plans for Comics Unleashed in its new prime late night slot, why he thinks there’s still more than enough political comedy after…
Meet Byron Allen, the comic media mogul who’s taking over CBS late night
Byron Allen got his first big break as a teenage comedian on Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show." Nearly five decades later, he is returning to late night not just as a comic, but as a billionaire media mogul with a…
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