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Byron Allen Takes Over CBS Late Night Slot May 22

4/6/2026

31 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

CBS moves Byron Allen to host Comics Unleashed in the 11:35 p.m. slot starting May 22, after The Late Show With Stephen Colbert ends May 21.
Allen's show will air back-to-back episodes, followed by Funny You Should Ask at 12:35 a.m.
The transition moves CBS toward a time-buy model that lets Allen purchase airtime and sell advertising.
The change could increase CBS profits, and Allen expressed gratitude for the opportunity.

History

Historical Context

In 1980, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) permitted television networks to adopt time-buy models, transforming programming strategies. This change allowed CBS to sell airtime to independent producers, exemplified by Byron Allen's hosting role. This shift reflects a broader trend of networks innovating for profitability, potentially increasing CBS's revenue by attracting advertisers to unique independent content.

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Story summary

CBS moves Byron Allen to host Comics Unleashed in the 11:35 p.m. slot starting May 22, after The Late Show With Stephen Colbert ends May 21.
Allen's show will air back-to-back episodes, followed by Funny You Should Ask at 12:35 a.m.
The transition moves CBS toward a time-buy model that lets Allen purchase airtime and sell advertising.
The change could increase CBS profits, and Allen expressed gratitude for the opportunity.

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