CBS Removes Texas Candidate Interview from Late Show Amid FCC Compliance Fears
New York, Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
On February 16, 2026, Stephen Colbert revealed that CBS attorneys blocked the broadcast of his interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, citing potential violations of the FCC’s Equal Time Rule. This decision follows January 2026 guidance from the FCC, led by Trump appointee Brendan Carr, which narrowed exemptions for entertainment programs—a move critics argue creates a “chilling effect” on political discourse. While CBS maintains the decision was strictly legal compliance to avoid granting equal airtime to primary opponents like Jasmine Crockett, Talarico and FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez framed the move as corporate capitulation to political pressure. The interview, subsequently released as an online exclusive, garnered over 3 million views by February 18, highlighting how digital platforms are becoming alternative venues for content deemed too regulatory-risky for traditional broadcast networks.
Regulatory Ambiguity and the Equal Time Rule
The dispute centers on a conflict between long-standing industry practices and recent regulatory signals. On Monday, February 16, Colbert informed his audience that network lawyers had intervened to block the interview, stating he was told in “no uncertain terms” that Talarico could not appear on the broadcast [3]. CBS disputed this characterization, asserting that the network merely provided “legal guidance” that the segment could trigger the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) equal-time rule [2][3]. This rule, which dates back to the 1920s, mandates that broadcasters featuring a political candidate must provide equivalent airtime to rival candidates if requested [6]. While news interviews have historically been exempt from this requirement—a precedent reinforced by a 2006 FCC ruling regarding The Tonight Show and Arnold Schwarzenegger—the regulatory landscape shifted in January 2026 [6]. The FCC issued new guidance warning daytime and late-night hosts that they might not be immune to these regulations, prompting networks to adopt a more risk-averse posture [2][6].
Political Pressure and Corporate Response
The enforcement of these guidelines has sparked accusations of political interference. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by Donald Trump, has specifically questioned the “talk show exemption” and suggested probing programs such as The View [2]. Following Talarico’s recent appearance on The View, reports indicate the FCC opened an investigation into the show because ABC allegedly did not make an equal-time filing [1][6]. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized CBS’s decision to pull the Colbert segment as “yet another troubling example of corporate capitulation” [1]. Talarico echoed this sentiment, describing the move as “the most dangerous kind of cancel culture, the kind that comes from the top,” and asserting that CBS executives were willing to comply with administration attempts to control content [2][3].
The Texas Primary Landscape
The timing of the cancellation was critical, occurring just hours before early voting began in Texas on Tuesday, February 17 [2]. Talarico is engaged in a competitive Democratic primary race for the U.S. Senate against U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett [2][3]. Had the interview aired, CBS stations in Texas could have been legally obligated to offer equal airtime to Crockett and fellow primary challenger Ahmad Hassan [6]. Both Talarico and Crockett are campaigning to secure over 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary to avoid a runoff election scheduled for May 26 [2][3]. Talarico claimed the crackdown suggests the Trump administration is worried Democrats are poised to “flip Texas” [1].
Digital Shifts and Industry Uncertainty
While the segment was barred from the airwaves, its release on digital platforms circumvented FCC jurisdiction. By Wednesday, February 18, the YouTube upload of the interview had generated 3 million views, demonstrating the reach of unregulated digital media compared to traditional broadcast television [6]. This controversy arises during a tumultuous period for The Late Show, which CBS announced last year would be canceled in May 2026 due to financial reasons [3]. The incident underscores the growing complexity media conglomerates face in navigating compliance issues while maintaining editorial independence during a polarized election cycle.