Story perspectives

Colbert Debuts YouTube Channel Amid $8B Ellison Deal

5/27/2026

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Summary

Colbert Launches YouTube

Stephen Colbert launched a new YouTube channel after leaving The Late Show, attracting over 120,000 subscribers.
The debut video “Only In Monroe — May 22, 2026” was an hour-long interview with Monroe Community Media.
He joked about “23 hours” TV, thanked Monroe Community Media before its Paramount acquisition, and noted that parent was bought by Larry Ellison and David Ellison in an $8 billion deal, sparking debate over merger and exit.

Summary

Trump Posts AI

President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated White House video tossing Stephen Colbert into a dumpster while “Y.M.C.A.” played.
Journalist Matthew Keys uploaded the clip as “Only in Monroe,” which amassed over 600,000 views before Paramount issued worldwide takedown notices.
CBS first sent routine copyright notices, then announced it would waive further enforcement after backlash over suppressing the independent Chicago-based production.

Summary

CBS Halts Takedowns

CBS halted its copyright takedown notices for the Monroe episode after fan backlash.
Bootleg YouTube copies of the episode have more views than the official upload.
The episode featured guests Eminem, Steve Buscemi, Jeff Daniels and music by Jack White.
CBS Studios financed and produced the episode with Monroe Community Media and its YouTube channels.
The episode was uploaded to YouTube 23 hours after the final broadcast, marking his debut on the new channel.

Summary

CBS Cuts

CBS ended the Late Show in July, citing budgetary constraints after a $40 million yearly loss.
Colbert mocked a $16 million settlement with U.S. President Donald Trump and Paramount that sought to resolve a dispute over a manipulated 60 Minutes segment tied to Paramount’s planned Skydance acquisition, which needed Trump administration approval.
Analysts said the $40 million deficit made the Late Show a prime cost-cut target.

History

Historical Context

Viacom’s March 2007 lawsuit against YouTube claimed $1 billion in damages for roughly 150,000 unauthorized clips viewed 1.5 billion times, prompting courts to test the DMCA’s safe-harbor protections. After a 2010 summary-judgment win for Google and a 2012 appellate reversal, platforms adopted tools like Content ID. Today CBS’s takedown notices on a Stephen Colbert episode echo that same enforcement legacy.

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Colbert Launches YouTube

Stephen Colbert launched a new YouTube channel after leaving The Late Show, attracting over 120,000 subscribers.
The debut video “Only In Monroe — May 22, 2026” was an hour-long interview with Monroe Community Media.
He joked about “23 hours” TV, thanked Monroe Community Media before its Paramount acquisition, and noted that parent was bought by Larry Ellison and David Ellison in an $8 billion deal, sparking debate over merger and exit.

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