Will The View Be the Next to Fall? Fears Mount After Stephen Colbert’s Shock Cancellation

The cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert sent shockwaves through the television industry last week, leaving fans and media insiders alike questioning the future of network television. With the sudden announcement that Colbert’s show would end in May 2026, the entertainment world braced for more unsettling news—particularly surrounding the fate of The View, ABC’s iconic daytime talk show. As viewership across traditional TV continues to decline and economic pressures mount, there are growing concerns that The View could be the next show to face the chopping block.

A Seismic Shift in Late-Night TV

The cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was a seismic event in the world of late-night television. CBS attributed the decision to financial pressures, pointing to a “challenging backdrop in late-night,” with ad revenue plummeting from $439 million in 2018 to just $220 million in 2024. Despite maintaining impressive ratings—approximately 2.5 million viewers in the 2024-2025 season—The Late Show was deemed unprofitable, serving as a stark reminder of the shifting economics of broadcast television.

The timing of the cancellation, however, raised eyebrows. It came just days after Colbert sharply criticized CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, for settling a $16 million lawsuit with Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. Colbert’s remarks, calling the settlement a “big fat bribe” related to Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media, led many to speculate that external pressures, not just financial concerns, were at play. This speculation has left other prominent TV shows, including The View, wondering if they too could face similar corporate scrutiny.

The View’s Unique Place in Daytime TV

Since its debut in 1997, The View has held a unique position in daytime television. Created by the legendary Barbara Walters, the show revolutionized the format with its diverse panel and unfiltered discussions on politics, pop culture, and current events. Known for lively debates and the occasional controversy, The View has become a cultural touchstone. While its audience still numbers in the millions, the show, much like late-night programming, is not immune to the same economic challenges.

While The View airs in a less competitive daytime slot, it faces the same financial pressures that contributed to Colbert’s cancellation. Producing a daily talk show with a high-profile host roster and a large staff is an expensive endeavor. With networks under increasing pressure to reduce costs and adjust to the growing popularity of streaming platforms and social media, even successful shows like The View could find themselves at risk. Industry analysts have noted that daytime talk shows like The View are struggling to maintain profitability as advertisers shift their budgets to digital platforms that cater to younger, on-demand audiences.

The Shadow of Colbert’s Cancellation

The abrupt end of The Late Show casts a long shadow over The View. While CBS maintains that Colbert’s cancellation was purely a financial decision, the timing—coming just three days after his scathing comments about Paramount’s $16 million settlement—has raised suspicions. Prominent figures, including Senators Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren, have called for transparency, questioning whether Colbert’s removal was influenced by political and corporate maneuvering. This has prompted fears among The View hosts, many of whom have similarly outspoken views, particularly on political issues like the Trump administration.

The hosts of The View—Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro—are no strangers to bold commentary and controversial takes. With The View’s reputation for pushing boundaries, many insiders believe the show’s outspoken nature could make it a target for cancellation, especially as networks become more cautious about potential conflicts that might arise from outspoken political discourse. Joy Behar, in particular, has raised concerns on the show’s Behind the Table podcast, emphasizing the role of comedians and commentators in holding power to account, but also acknowledging the risks of doing so in a climate where corporate interests are increasingly intertwined with programming choices.

Economic Pressures and the Changing Media Landscape

The television industry is in the midst of a dramatic transformation. The rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube has fragmented audiences, making it harder for traditional networks to justify the high costs of producing daily programming. While The View still commands millions of viewers in its daytime slot, its audience has declined from its peak in the early 2000s, in line with broader trends in linear television. In 2024-2025, The View averaged about 2.3 million viewers per episode—still solid, but not immune to the ongoing shift in viewing habits.

The economic pressures on traditional TV are further compounded by the high cost of production. The View’s large team of producers, writers, technical staff, and high-profile hosts demand significant financial resources. Meanwhile, the growing focus at Disney, ABC’s parent company, on its streaming service Disney+ and its focus on cost-cutting across linear TV has left some wondering if The View could become a casualty of a larger industry-wide push for profitability. As networks continue to prioritize digital content and on-demand streaming, the future of linear TV shows that rely on advertising revenue could be in jeopardy.

The Fear of Being Next

Insiders close to The View have expressed concerns that their show could be next in line for cancellation, drawing parallels between the fates of The Late Show and their own program. Both shows are known for their unapologetic and outspoken nature, and both operate in a landscape where corporate interests are shifting. The success of The View in the past doesn’t guarantee its future, and these concerns are fueled by the growing trend of canceling long-running programs in favor of cost-effective, digital-first content.

The cancellation of The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2022 after 19 seasons and the end of The Wendy Williams Show in the same year were stark reminders that even hugely successful daytime shows are not immune to the harsh realities of the modern media market. For The View, the challenge is clear: continue to remain relevant while navigating the changing economics of television, or risk becoming another casualty of the new media order.

The Path Forward for The View

Despite the challenges it faces, The View still has several key advantages that could help it navigate these turbulent times. The daytime format allows the show to reach a broader demographic than many late-night programs, and its panel-driven format gives it flexibility in adapting to changing viewer habits. The show has also embraced digital platforms, with viral segments on YouTube and social media helping to engage younger viewers, an essential component in maintaining relevance in today’s media landscape.

To secure its future, The View may need to evolve. Some industry analysts suggest that the show could explore cost-saving measures, such as reducing the number of live episodes or increasing the number of pre-recorded segments. Others propose leaning further into digital content, creating exclusive online segments to attract younger, on-the-go viewers. The hosts’ chemistry and ability to provoke thought-provoking conversations remain a significant asset, ensuring that The View will likely remain a cornerstone of daytime television for the time being.

A Broader Warning for Television

The cancellation of The Late Show and the increasing pressure on The View serve as a wake-up call to the broader television industry. As audiences migrate to streaming services and social media, traditional networks must find ways to adapt—or risk obsolescence. For The View, this means balancing its bold, opinion-driven format with the realities of a cost-conscious industry. As networks continue to prioritize profitability, even the most iconic programs will have to evolve to survive.

For now, the hosts of The View are doubling down on what they do best: sparking conversation and challenging norms. But with the shadow of Colbert’s cancellation looming large, the question remains—can they continue to outlast the storm, or will their voices eventually fade from the airwaves? As the television industry continues to change, The View’s survival may well serve as a barometer for the future of opinion-driven television.

Conclusion

With the future of The View hanging in the balance, the fate of the show is more uncertain than ever. As the media industry continues to evolve, the women of The View will need to adapt to the shifting landscape or risk becoming another casualty of a rapidly changing television world. Whether they manage to stay on top or face the same fate as Colbert’s Late Show, their journey may provide critical insights into how traditional TV must evolve to compete in a new digital age.