CBS denied that it tried to block Stephen Colbert’s TV return. The celebrated talk show host ended his glorious 11-season run with The Late Show on May 21. While Colbert has not shied away from taking potshots at CBS, the company has rejected any claims that it tried to block Colbert’s return to TV.
CBS responds to claims of suppressing Stephen Colbert’s TV return
CBS has refuted claims of suppressing Stephen Colbert’s return to TV. A day after officially ending The Late Show, Colbert guest-hosted the Michigan public access show Only in Monroe on May 22. He also took several playful jabs at CBS on the show.
As per Variety, CBS has been issuing takedown notices to YouTube users who are uploading bootleg versions of Colbert’s recent hosting gig with Only in Monroe. The reason is simple. It is because those videos are copyrighted, and the official version can be watched on Colbert’s brand-new YouTube channel.
However, as per a recent update, CBS has revealed that it will pause further takedowns for now. It is because people complained about this online. A CBS spokesperson explained, “Stephen Colbert’s return to Monroe in the ‘Only in Monroe’ episode was financed and produced by CBS Studios and was posted on Colbert’s YouTube channel in collaboration with Monroe Community Media and ‘The Late Show’s YouTube channels.”
Furthermore, the statement read, “As is our regular practice, we send copyright notices to unauthorized websites that post copyrighted content from CBS and our network/studio talent such as Colbert. However, for this episode, we have decided to waive further enforcement of this standard industry practice until additional review.”
Colbert launched his own YouTube channel a day ago and thus far uploaded his hosting gig, Only in Monroe. However, other YouTubers beat him to that and uploaded bootleg versions of the show on their respective channels, garnering massive views. Colbert’s own upload has garnered significantly fewer views.
Furthermore, as per insiders, CBS is not trying to silence Colbert’s Only in Monroe hosting gig. The company funded the production of his episode and recruited Jeff Daniels and Jack White to partake in it. Hence, CBS owns the copyright to this episode and has taken the lead in protecting its copyright.
