The Decline of Daytime Talk Shows Amidst the Rise of Video Podcasts

The recent cancellations of "The Kelly Clarkson Show" and "Sherri," hosted by Sherri Shepherd, have underscored significant changes in the daytime talk show landscape. Clarkson announced her departure from her NBCUniversal-distributed show after seven years for personal reasons, while "Sherri" was canceled after four seasons due to the challenging marketplace, as stated by Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Ira Bernstein and Mort Marcus. The evolving dynamics of daytime television have led to a lack of new shows poised to replace these cancellations, raising concerns among industry insiders.

Variety Magazine

The financial viability of daytime talk shows has come under scrutiny, with rising production costs and declining viewership contributing to their struggles. Frank Cicha, head of programming for Fox TV Stations, noted that the audience levels for these shows no longer justify their expenses. Many local stations are opting to expand their live local news broadcasts instead, as these require no additional costs and are more appealing to viewers. The shift towards local news has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of daytime talk shows, with many stations now prioritizing local content over syndicated programming.

Variety Magazine

As traditional talk shows face cancellation, video podcasts are gaining traction as a viable alternative. These platforms, which include popular shows like "Call Her Daddy" and "The Joe Rogan Experience," have been attracting high-profile guests and garnering substantial viewership. According to Edison Research, the total time spent with podcasts has surged by 355% since 2015, reaching 773 million hours per week. This trend poses a direct threat to traditional daytime talk shows, as audiences increasingly gravitate towards the more accessible and cost-effective format of video podcasts.

Hollywood Reporter

In response to the challenges facing daytime talk shows, syndicators are exploring new strategies. CBS Media Ventures has begun distributing "The Drew Barrymore Show" in a format that allows for flexibility in scheduling, pairing it with local news. Additionally, Telepictures is developing a syndicated half-hour show with Jenny McCarthy, designed to mimic the low-budget, high-engagement style of video podcasts. Industry experts suggest that this shift towards cheaper, more adaptable formats may be essential for the survival of daytime talk.

Variety Magazine

The rise of video podcasts raises concerns among Hollywood unions, which have traditionally been involved in the production of talk shows. The lack of union presence in the podcasting space threatens established labor standards, prompting calls for unionization efforts to adapt to the changing media landscape. WGA West board member Adam Conover has emphasized the need for the union to organize around YouTube and podcasts, recognizing these platforms as the future of television.

Hollywood Reporter

• “The bottom line is, broadcast will no longer pay $25 million-plus for any new daytime shows.” — Frank Cicha, Head of Programming, Fox TV Stations

Variety Magazine

• “I think it’s pretty clear to everybody when you look at things like Call Her Daddy or Joe Rogan and the kind of sway they have.” — Anonymous Late Night Veteran

Hollywood Reporter

• “We are sitting on a shrinking iceberg and must be willing to look beyond our current employers.” — Michele Mulroney, WGA West President

Hollywood Reporter

The decline of daytime talk shows and the rise of video podcasts reflect a broader transformation in the media landscape, prompting industry stakeholders to reassess their strategies in an increasingly competitive environment.

Variety Magazine