Byron Allen: The Media Mogul Shaking Up Buzzfeed And Late-Night Tv

Byron Allen: A New Era for BuzzFeed and Late-Night Television

Byron Allen is stepping into the spotlight with some major moves. Known for his savvy business acumen, Allen is gearing up to fill Stephen Colbert's shoes on CBS and take the reins at BuzzFeed.

BuzzFeed's Bold Transformation

Byron Allen is not just stopping at late-night TV. He's got his sights set on BuzzFeed, where he's poised to become the new Chairman and CEO after acquiring a majority stake. BuzzFeed, Inc. has announced that Allen Family Digital will snatch up 40 million shares for a cool $120 million, with the deal wrapping up by month's end. BuzzFeed's founder, Jonah Peretti, is rolling out the red carpet for Allen with sweeping changes, including cost-cutting measures, the launch of BuzzFeed Studios, and spinning off Tasty as an independent entity.

"As of this moment, with the power of AI, BuzzFeed is officially chasing YouTube to become another premiere free video streaming service," Allen declared on May 11, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter.

A New Late-Night Lineup

Starting May 22, the night after Stephen Colbert bids farewell, Byron Allen will introduce his own late-night block on CBS. Get ready for double doses of laughter as "Comics Unleashed" takes the 11:35 p.m. slot, followed by "Funny You Should Ask" at 12:37 a.m. Allen has struck a deal with CBS to air these shows through the 2026-2027 season, bringing his unique comedic flair to late-night audiences.

Who is Byron Allen?

Byron Allen's journey to media mogul status is nothing short of remarkable. Hailing from Los Angeles, he made waves as the youngest comedian to grace Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show" back in 1979. He ventured into television as a host on NBC's "Real People" and polished his skills at the University of Southern California's film school.

Fast forward to 1993, and Allen founded what would become Allen Media Group. The company made headlines with its acquisition of The Weather Channel in 2018. Allen's portfolio doesn't stop there – he's an executive producer for various courtroom shows and owns a slew of television stations and digital platforms.

"If they’re looking for a show, my hand is already up," Allen confidently stated during an interview at New York’s Advertising Week. "Fifty years, I’ve been waiting for this moment. Definitely, I’m going for it."