Podcasting Is The New Late Night TV

Episode 186

The cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show highlights a major shift in the media landscape as expensive TV production gives way to more cost-effective, audience-focused podcasting formats. When Stephen Colbert's show got axed, the immediate cultural response wasn't "start a YouTube channel" or "join TikTok". It was "launch a podcast." This reaction speaks volumes about where audience attention and creator opportunity now resides.

Mentioned in this episode:

Why Colbert Got Canceled by Nate Silver
100 Best Podcasts of All Time

Our thoughts:

The Late Show cost $100 million annually with 200 employees, making it financially unsustainable
Traditional TV's aging audience (average 68 years old) doesn't appeal to advertisers seeking younger demographics
Conan O'Brien's successful transition from TV (280,000 viewers) to podcasting (1.3 million listeners)
Podcast production costs dramatically lower at $20,000 per episode for major networks, often under $100 for independents
Creative freedom in podcasting allows hosts to maintain their authentic voice without network interference
Many former TV personalities finding success in podcasting: Trevor Noah, Bill O'Reilly, Rosie O'Donnell, and Keith Olbermann, for example.
Podcasting becoming synonymous with independent media creation in public consciousness

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Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

Podcast Episode Details

Podcasting Is The New Late Night TV