RESETTING THE ORDER: Fox News Surges Past CBS in the Wake of Colbert’s Exit

In a dramatic reshuffling of the cable and broadcast news hierarchy, Fox News has surged past CBS in key ratings immediately following CBS’s cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The upheaval marks Jesse Watters‑led Fox’s strategic billion‑dollar escalation against CBS’s dominance—a move stirred by the fallout over a $16 million settlement tied to editorial controversies. Fox’s consolidation under Watters positions it as the new king of late‑night and primetime cable political commentary.

The Spark: Colbert’s Cancellation and the $16 Million Settling

Earlier in July 2025, CBS parent Paramount Global reached a $16 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit brought by Donald Trump, centered around 60 Minutes editing a Kamala Harris interview . Stephen Colbert, long critical of Trump and mainstream media, publicly slammed his own network for settling—just days before CBS announced it would be ending his flagship late‑night program . The rapidly unfolding developments triggered speculation that political and corporate pressure played a role in Colbert’s exit.

Ratings Fallout: Fox News Explodes, Overtakes CBS

In the weeks following, Fox News not only regained its dominance over CNN and MSNBC, but also began outdrawing CBS in primetime and total‑day viewership. During the week of July 7–13, Fox News averaged 2.4 million viewers in primetime—surpassing CBS’s 2.0 million and NBC’s 2.2 million . For the entire month of June, Fox consistently beat CBS across both total audience and the advertiser‑targeted 25–54 demographic, with June numbers at 3.1 million viewers vs. CBS’s 2.1 million, and demo counts of 370,000 vs. 341,000 .

Fox News’s key shows further solidified the advantage. The Five, featuring Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters and others, delivered nearly 4 million total viewers and 410,000 in demo, surpassing the CBS Evening News and other broadcast staples. At 8 PM ET, Jesse Watters Primetime attracted 3.4 million viewers and 396,000 in 25–54, beating CBS’s Late Show with Stephen Colbert even before its final weeks aired . Meanwhile, Gutfeld! at 10 PM drew 3.0 million viewers and 365,000 in demo, topping other late‑night fare including Kimmel, Fallon, Meyers—and Colbert himself .

What’s Behind the Shake‑Up?

This is no merely opportunistic ratings spike. Industry watchers describe a Jesse Watters‑led offensive at Fox News as part of a broader billion‑dollar strategy to dethrone CBS and its broadcast stablemates. Unlike CBS, Fox has leaned into hyper‑polarized commentary, fast‑paced formats, and high‑energy segments to grab attention and ad dollars .

Watters himself, host of both The Five and his eponymous primetime show, has become the face of this campaign—a populist and provocative anchor mobilizing viewers through controversy and high‑stakes storytelling. His takeover of the 8 PM slot formerly occupied by Tucker Carlson since mid‑2023 further signals Fox’s deliberate repositioning toward a brash, youth‑oriented demo tilt .

The New Late‑Night King?

With Carlson long departed and Colbert canceled, the title of “Late‑Night King” arguably belongs to Gutfeld!, which consistently outpaces The Late Show, Kimmel, and other broadcast offerings. Gutfeld’s brand of comedic‑editorial fusion has captured 3.0 million viewers, firmly positioning him at 10 PM ET as the highest‑rated late‑night presence across cable and broadcast.

Meanwhile, Jesse Watters Primetime appears poised to encroach on the 11 PM territory in the long term. Its aggressive tone and growing demo numbers suggest a challenge to the traditional late‑night lineup—and a symbolic extension of Fox’s dominance even after 11 PM.

Who Might Step Into the New Roles?

Fox’s success hinges not just on existing stars but also on internal shifts. Jesse Watters is firmly planted at 8 PM and central to Fox’s offensive strategy. For the crucial 10–11 PM zone, Greg Gutfeld remains the standout performer. And beyond that, pundits have speculated about reviving or elevating other Fox personalities—Kat Timpf being a prominent name floated by many observers. Having first gained visibility on The Greg Gutfeld Show and brief stints on The Five, Timpf blends humor and political commentary in a way that could fit late‑night dynamics. While there’s no official word yet on a specific return or dedicated program, the fan community and industry chatter suggest she’s a candidate worthy of watchful anticipation.

Why This Matters—and What Comes Next

This isn’t merely about who delivers the strongest Nielsen numbers. It represents a power shift in how political commentary, news, and entertainment intersect. Fox’s aggressive strategy, especially after the Colbert controversy, reflects a broader trend of network-partial populism, where viewer allegiance is built on combative, personality-driven narratives.

CBS, historically the home of prestige programming and traditional journalism, has quickly lost ground—not only in ratings but in cultural relevance. The $16 million settlement and Colbert’s exit symbolically underscore a transformation: CBS’s legacy model no longer commands the same influence or audience loyalty.

Discussion Points for Media Watchers

Is Fox’s dominance sustainable? The network’s current edge is powered by high-profile hosts and controversial narratives. As CBS retools and streaming continues to evolve, can Fox hold onto this lead?
What about pressure on editorial standards? The fallout from the $16 million settlement—and Colbert’s vocal critiques—raises questions about internal dissent and corporate influence in newsrooms.
Could Colbert or other legacy late‑night hosts make a comeback? With streaming platforms hungry for recognizable personalities, the possibility of Colbert returning in a new form—not necessarily on CBS—remains open.
Will personalities like Timpf launch new shows? Her mix of wit and commentary resonates with younger demos. A Fox‑backed late‑night or hybrid format could capitalize on her growing base.

Fox News has decisively overtaken CBS, especially in key late‑night and primetime slots, leveraging a Jesse Watters‑led push and reacting swiftly to CBS’s cancellation of Stephen Colbert amid the $16 million controversy. Gutfeld! reigns at 10 PM, while Watters anchors the 8 PM hour. The network’s shift toward more youthful, combative commentary signals a new king of late‑night—and possibly a broader realignment in how media narratives are crafted. Patrick watchers are eyeing Kat Timpf and other rising Fox figures as potential future stars in this bold era of media warfare.