Variety is reporting that CBS will air the two shows after the final whistle blows, and when they do, it will mark the first time that one of The Big Three (CBS, NBC, ABC) has followed the game with a late-night program. Since the Super Bowl is almost always the highest-rated telecast of any kind in any particular year, some are already forecasting that the show could draw a record audience.
Host Stephen Colbert has held his own in the late night ratings war, but is still looking up at Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show. Perhaps CBS is looking to give Late Show a shot in the arm, in hopes that it can overtake its competition or perhaps this is just the most appealing piece of program it could find to air in that time slot.
We don’t know for sure what the execs are thinking, but even on a night where football is king, the “what else is on?” and “thank God it’s over” crowds are still important.
“It’s been a very big year in late night at CBS,” said CBS Entertainment president Glenn Geller. “We’re extremely proud of our two new late night franchises, and we’re thrilled to give Stephen and James this big Super Bowl Sunday showcase.”
The network pulled in 38.7 million viewers when it followed the 2010 Super Bowl with the premiere of Undercover Boss, which is the highest post-game figure in the last ten years. Can the Colbert/Corden combo coax that many viewers to stick around after the world’s finest athletes stop colliding with one another at breakneck speed?
Since everyone seems to throw a few bucks down on Super Bowl Sunday, we’re going to go ahead and bet that Colbert, at least, suprasses that number. Anyone willing to take our action?
