If anyone is making a mistake it’s CBS, not Stephen Colbert or Craig Ferguson.
CBS is reportedly paying Craig five million dollars (or more) due to the Succession Clause in his contract.
It’s also still up in the air as to whether or not Ferguson’s contract will be renewed. There is a lot of talk that Chelsea Handler is being sought to become The Late Late Show’s host.
Colbert’s CBS contract salary hasn’t been released as of yet. Reportedly he’ll be making much more than his current $4.5 million that Comedy Central was paying. I would strongly suspect his contract negotiations will include bonuses if he pulls in the same or greater audience compared to the current 2.9 share Letterman pulls in.
Since Colbert pulls the much adored 18–49 age group on his current show, we’ll have to wait and see if that audience transfers over to CBS.
I’m an avid Letterman fan…always have been. YES! Some people do still watch late night TV….As a matter of fact, thanks to the DVR we watch MORE late night TV than ever before possible ;)