Byron Allen Transitions to Late-Night TV with ‘Comics Unleashed’

As CBS moves on from “The Late Show,” media mogul Byron Allen steps in to fill the coveted late-night time slot. Starting Friday, Allen’s syndicated comedy series, “Comics Unleashed,” will air at 11:35 p.m. ET. Known for his background in stand-up comedy, Allen views this as a significant business move to enhance his media portfolio.

Allen recently expanded his media holdings by acquiring a controlling interest in Buzzfeed, a digital media powerhouse known for its viral content. His pursuit of CBS’s time slot began when he learned of CBS’s plans to remove Stephen Colbert from the late-night lineup. Allen approached CBS with a straightforward proposal, asking, “Do you like money?” Their affirmative response set the stage for the deal.

Allen shares a friendship with Colbert and advised CBS against launching a new show if they proceeded with Colbert’s removal. He proposed buying the time slot to save the network over $110 million. Under this arrangement, Allen leases the hour and manages the advertising, without disclosing the financial details. He expressed confidence in his contribution to CBS’s financial gain, stating, “I am a gift from the money gods and the comedy gods.”

Allen’s aspiration to join the late-night television scene dates back to his childhood. His mother, then an NBC employee, could not afford childcare, so she brought him to the NBC lot in Burbank, where he watched Johnny Carson perform. Allen shares that his mother initiated an intern program at NBC, allowing him to witness Carson’s work firsthand.

“While I watched my mom work, I observed Johnny Carson’s charisma and realized how much joy he brought through laughter,” Allen recalled.

Allen’s own stand-up debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in 1979 marked a pivotal moment for him. He remembers thinking about the impact of those minutes on stage, feeling they would forever change his and his mother’s lives.

In the years that followed, Allen transitioned into media entrepreneurship by founding Allen Media Group in 1993. He owns various television channels, including Pets.TV and Cars.TV, and acquired the Weather Channel’s parent company in 2018. Allen sees potential in Buzzfeed’s established brand and plans to build upon its existing foundation.

Buzzfeed, once valued at over $1 billion, has faced challenges in sustaining its business model. Allen plans to leverage user-generated content without paywalls, making it accessible on his ad-supported streaming service, Local Now. He emphasized the appeal of free access and streaming in media.

Allen’s ambitions extend to owning the premium cable network Starz, where he holds a significant share. Despite previous attempts to acquire companies like Tegna and the NFL’s Washington Commanders, and interest in Paramount, Allen continues to pursue ownership. However, Starz recently implemented a shareholder protection plan to prevent hostile takeovers. Allen remains undeterred, expressing a strong desire to own Starz.

“Owning Starz is a goal I aim to achieve someday,” Allen stated, “and I hope to increase my investment to become the controlling shareholder.”

Throughout these endeavors, Allen remains motivated by a desire to make his mother proud, a driving force in his life and career.