There is little in Paramount Global’s recent earnings report to indicate that the finances of its television division had eroded so precipitously that jettisoning one of its trademark programs would be a necessary solution.

The Writers Guild of America wants Paramount investigated for bribery after news of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” being canceled. Variety reports said it has “significant concerns” that the move may have been a way to bribe president Donald Trump into sanctioning Paramount’s pending acquisition by Skydance.

CBS has cancelled The Late Show and announced Stephen Colbert will serve as final host until May 2026 days after he called out his parent company's "bribe."