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Netflix Favored to Hire Stephen Colbert After CBS Firing

CBS is ending The Late Show and firing Stephen Colbert. Late-night shows have taken a dip in popularity, but Colbert’s program was the best performing by far.

With that in mind, Colbert is likely to have his pick of suitors for his next programming endeavor. Fans of late-night TV can wager on Colbert’s next stop. Keep reading to see the latest odds for the next network to hire Colbert and learn where to bet on this entertainment futures market.

Why Was Stephen Colbert Fired?

Top entertainment betting sites have odds on the next network to hire Colbert. But first things first, why is The Late Show ending?

According to CBS, the company decided to end the iconic show in 2026, after more than three decades, due to financial reasons.

However, the timing of the announcement raised questions about the real reason Colbert’s show was ended. Colbert recently criticized Paramount, CBS’s parent company, for their decision to settle a lawsuit with President Donald Trump.

The host called Paramount’s decision to pay a $16 million settlement to the president a “bribe.”

After the announcement, many other comedians came to Colbert’s defense. Jon Stewart and the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, heavily criticized the decision on their shows, which are also owned by Paramount.

What Network Will Air Stephen Colbert’s Next Show?

• Netflix (+325)
• HBO/Max (+400)
• Apple TV+ (+450)
• YouTube (+500)
• Amazon Prime Video (+550)
• Hulu/FX (+700)
• Peacock/NBC (+800)
• CNN/CNN+ (+900)
• ABC/Disney+ (+1000)

Bovada Sportsbook lists Netflix as the +325 favorite to hire Colbert next. The streaming giant has tried to establish news shows before with mixed results. However, bringing in a heavy hitter like Colbert could help Netflix establish a foothold in the late-night TV space.

After Netflix, the next top contenders are HBO/Max (+400), Apple TV+ (+450), and YouTube (+500). HBO and Apple TV+ certainly have the budget to throw behind a new Colbert show. YouTube, on the other hand, could use Colbert to expand their YouTube TV original programming library.

Netflix (+325)

Netflix is a +325 favorite to hire Colbert for his next show following the end of The Late Show in spring 2026. The company has made multiple pushes into live streaming events recently, including NFL games and WWE shows.

Some of the talk shows that Netflix has produced in the past include:

• Norm MacDonald has a Show
• The Joel McHale Show: With Joel McHale
• Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj
• My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman
• The Break with Michelle Wolf

If Colbert does sign a deal with Netflix, he would join David Letterman as former hosts of The Late Show to join the platform.

HBO Max (+400)

Secure sports betting sites list HBO at 4-1 odds to be Colbert’s next network following his departure from CBS. The platform has plenty of experience hosting and producing talk shows.

Some of the successful talk shows created by HBO include:

• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
• Real Time with Bill Maher
• Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace

At +400 odds, the frequently rebranded streaming service has an implied win probability of 20%.

HBO has political talk shows on both sides of the aisle. So, Colbert could be confident in his left-leaning takes without fear of being shut down.

On the other hand, the streaming platform already has a similar host in John Oliver. Hiring Colbert could be redundant, depending on the type of show they would want him to host.

Apple TV+ (+450)

Next is Apple TV+, which is available at +450 odds to hire Stephen Colbert. While the service has its fans, Apple TV+ is not as popular as other major streaming services.

According to reports, Apple TV+ has roughly 45 million subscribers. Netflix, for comparison, is the most popular streaming service with over 300 million subscribers.

Hiring Colbert could help Apple TV+ attract new subscribers. However, the question then becomes whether the service can afford a top-notch host like Colbert. The company spent $4.5 billion on content in 2024 and lost over $1 billion.

Colbert made $15 million per year for The Late Show. The show itself, on the other hand, costs over $100 million per season to produce. The price could simply be too high for a streaming company already struggling to compete.

YouTube (+500)

YouTube’s deals with major American sports leagues, such as the NFL, have helped it become a major player in live streaming events. However, the company has struggled to produce major hits on its own.

Colbert could be the answer to YouTube’s problems. The streaming and video sharing platform is listed at 5-1 odds to hire Colbert next.

YouTube offers long and short-form content. In theory, Colbert could keep creating his long-form show and venture into shorter content to react to the latest news. However, Colbert’s criticisms of Trump could be a major roadblock to his joining YouTube.

YouTube is owned by Google, whose CEO, Sundar Pichai, was at Trump’s inauguration. Pichai was not the only tech CEO in attendance, as Jeff Bezos (Amazon) and Tim Cook (Apple) were also present. Pichai, however, had a prominent spot next to Elon Musk, who was one of Trump’s closest allies before the two split up and almost came to blows.

Amazon Prime Video (+550)

Speaking of Amazon, the company is listed at +550 to bring Colbert in to host a show on Amazon Prime Video. The streaming company not only creates original programs, but, using add-on subscriptions, allows members to watch the latest shows from other networks.

If you have the Paramount+ add-on, you can already watch Colbert’s work on Amazon. Similarly, if he signed with a company like HBO, Amazon could show Colbert’s latest episodes without having to pony up for production and salary costs.

Recruiting Colbert would help Amazon expand its original programming in the talk show space. Amazon has some original talk shows, such as Hot Ones, and has old episodes of shows like The Johnny Carson Show. 

Dark Horse Network to Hire Colbert

There are plenty of worthy betting options outside of the top five. Disney+, for instance, is listed at +1000 odds to hire Colbert. He could join a variety of networks owned by Disney, such as ABC, that would allow him to compete head-to-head with CBS.

In addition to the multiple news programs Disney owns under the ABC brand, it also owns Fox News, Good Morning America, and other well-known programs. Its wide selection of networks is not the only reason to consider Disney. The company has deep enough pockets to outbid any of the other contenders in the hunt to get Colbert.

Disney is not a perfect candidate for Colbert, though. The company has butted heads with republicans before, but its brands have also bent the proverbial knee to Trump. Fox is the President’s favorite propaganda network, and ABC paid Trump $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit in December.

Where to Bet on Colbert’s Future Network

Wagering on Colbert’s next network is a great way to take advantage of Paramount’s decision to fire the popular late-night TV host. To get the best odds, you need a highly-rated offshore sports betting site.

The best place to bet on Colbert’s future today is Bovada. It offers competitive odds on multiple entertainment markets, including the next network to hire Colbert.

Bovada offers exciting bonuses for its loyal members. The Bovada Rewards program, for example, helps you earn new bonuses with every qualifying wager. New members who take advantage of the crypto welcome promo can claim a 75% match on their first deposit with Bitcoin.

Colbert Next Network Prediction

Paramount’s decision to not only fire Colbert but also cancel The Late Show franchise has drawn the ire of many. The company’s controversial choice has created a great opportunity for its competitors to hire one of the most popular and recognizable hosts in the business.

Netflix (+325) is the favorite to hire Colbert, and I think it makes the most sense for both parties. The streaming company has tried multiple times to establish talk shows, but never with a high-profile talent like Colbert.

For Colbert, joining Netflix would provide him with the largest audience of any streaming network. Also, given the success and resources of the platform, Colbert would likely not need to take a pay cut to join the company.

Which Network do You Think Will Hire Colbert Next?

Where will Colbert go next after being fired from CBS? The soon-to-be former Late Show host will need a new job after the show’s final episode in spring 2026. I think Colbert will join Netflix and take advantage of the resources offered by the biggest streaming platform.

You can view the latest odds and bet on the next company to hire Colbert by signing up at Bovada today. Find out more about this sportsbook and all the rewards it offers in our unbiased Bovada review.