Image Credit: Getty Images; CBS
As “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” approaches its final weeks, CBS has revealed a new personality to assume Stephen Colbert‘s late-night slot: Byron Allen. Himself a comic, the entrepreneur will present his “Comics Unleashed” at 11:35 p.m. on the Paramount-owned channel following Stephen’s departure in May.
“I truly value CBS’ faith in me by acquiring our two-hour comedy programming of ‘COMICS UNLEASHED’ and ‘FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK,’ as the world always benefits from more laughter,” Byron expressed in a statement. CBS has a time-buy arrangement with Byron’s Allen Media Group for the 2026-2027 broadcast year. This signifies Byron is paying for the privilege to showcase his shows on the channel.
The termination of “The Late Show” was communicated the prior year, surprising many viewers who suspected politics might have had a part in the show’s cancellation. Nevertheless, CBS leaders maintained that it was a “fiscal choice.”
“We see Stephen Colbert as unique and will discontinue ‘The Late Show’ brand in May of 2026,” CBS stated. “We are pleased Stephen regarded CBS as his home. He and the show will be celebrated among the greats that have graced late-night television.”
The broadcasting company further stated, “This is strictly a monetary decision due to the tough conditions in late night. It is not associated at all with the program’s success, substance, or other occurrences at Paramount.”
Discover more about Stephen’s successor in the late-night time slot, Byron, below.
(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
Byron Allen Is a Comedian
CBS does not plan to completely abandon humor. Despite its discontinuation of “The Late Show”, Byron is a humorist. He conceived his initial stand-up act in his adolescence and has continued in the field.
Byron Allen Is the Founder of Allen Media Group
As previously mentioned, Allen Media Group maintains a time-buy deal with CBS. Byron is the organization’s originator, and he is purchasing air time on the network to broadcast his “Comics Unleashed.”
Byron Allen Once Sued McDonald’s
In 2021, Byron initiated a $10 billion claim against the McDonald’s fast-food company for supposedly showing discrimination toward media firms owned by Black individuals through its television promotions. Both parties came to a resolution out of court in 2025.
In his legal complaint, Byron asserted that McDonald’s acted unfairly by acquiring advertising slots on media channels geared towards Black viewers, asserting that the burger company’s buys came from a pool defined as “the African American tier” of outlets. The lawsuit alleged that the action caused damage to Black media owners since this tier had restricted resources as compared to the overall tier that the company employed for broader audiences on bigger platforms.