CBS denies it blocked Colbert from broadcasting James Talarico interview

CBS denies that it blocked the airing of Stephen Colbert’s interview with Texas Democrat James Talarico.

“THE LATE SHOW was not prohibited by CBS from airing its interview with Rep. James Talarico,” the network told Fox News Digital in a statement Tuesday.

The statement continued: “The program provided legal guidance that broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and offered options for how equal time could be satisfied for the other candidates. Rather than potentially offering equal-time options, THE LATE SHOW decided to present the interview with a livestream promotion on air through its YouTube channel.”

COLBERT HAS SO MUCH FAITH IN CBS, SAYS IT BLOCKED HIM FROM INTERVIEWING TEXAS DEM AFTER FCC CRAWL

A representative for “The Late Show” did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

On Monday night, Colbert claimed that network lawyers were keeping him from airing the Talarico session.

“He was supposed to be here, but our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, told us in no uncertain terms that we couldn’t have him on the air,” Colbert told viewers. he said.

Colbert’s interview with Talarico was shared on the show’s YouTube page, where it has received more than 2.2 million views.

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Colbert claimed CBS prevented him from airing his interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, which was shared on YouTube. (Scott Kowalchyk ©2026 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Last month, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it has implemented its long-standing decision equal time rule This allows all legally qualified candidates, regardless of party, to receive equal air time on broadcast networks.

Under the policy, Talarico’s primary Democratic rivals, Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett and little-known candidate Ahmad Hassan, would need the same amount of air time on the channels on which he appears.

Talarico’s recent appearance on ABC’s “The View” triggered a backlash FCC probe.

REPUBLICANS ARE ACTUALLY SHUTTING DOWN DEM-DOMINATED TALK PROGRAMS AS FCC AIMS TO CHANGE NETWORK PROGRAMS

Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico’s appearance on “The View” triggered an FCC investigation into ABC’s daytime talk show. (ABC/View)

In an interview with Fox News Digital earlier this month, Carr shrugged off criticism from Colbert and his fellow late-night host. Jimmy KimmelReacting strongly to the FCC policy, the FCC emphasized that the agency was enforcing a rule “dating back to the 1950s” and that if Colbert and Kimmel did not like the law, they should force Congress to change it.

“We will enforce this regulation under my supervision,” Carr said. “There are so many ways to distribute programs these days that you don’t have to comply with that regulation. If you’re a cable channel, it’s largely irrelevant. If you’re a podcaster, no. If you’re a broadcaster, no.”

He continued, “So if Kimmel or Colbert want to continue to do their show and they don’t want to have to comply with that requirement or other public interest obligations like bans on broadcast hoaxing or news distortion, then they can go to a cable channel or a podcast or a streaming service and that’s fine. But if you want that broad distribution exclusivity on that public source of the broadcast TV spectrum, then that’s something they have to comply with.”“

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