Space for music on late-night TV has dwindled. New media seeks to offer an alternative

Late-night TV’s music spotlight is shrinking, and the changes are affecting artists who once relied on prime-time performance slots to reach new audiences. The Associated Press reports that when CBS ended “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” earlier this year, it also shut down the show’s extensive music offerings. James Corden’s “The Late Late Show” wasn’t revived on CBS after he left in 2023, and NBC and ABC have reduced live music to fewer appearances. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon remains the only network late-night program consistently booking live performances. The article traces that shift through examples like Future Islands’ viral breakthrough and notes artists are increasingly turning to online platforms.