NBCUniversal has announced a seismic shift in the daytime television landscape, saying it will exit the first-run syndication business — in turn canceling Access Hollywood, Karamo, and The Steve Wilkos Show.
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios will continue to operate, but focus on distributing NBCUniversal’s existing content instead of producing new episodes.
“NBCUniversal is making changes to our first-run syndication division to better align with the programming preferences of local stations,” Frances Berwick, chairman of Bravo and head of Peacock Unscripted, said in a statement to Urban Hollywood 411 on Friday, March 13.
“The company will remain active in the distribution of our existing program library and other off-network titles, while winding down production of our first-run shows,” Berwick added. “These shows have provided audiences with great talk and entertainment content for many years and we’re very proud of the teams behind them.”
The media giant did not give details on how many employees are affected, but the number is likely in the hundreds.
Access Hollywood premiered in 1996. Now in its 30th year, the entertainment news magazine is hosted by Mario Lopez, Kit Hoover, Scott Evans, and Zuri Hall.
Sister show Access Daily has also been canceled. Currently in its 16th season, the show is hosted by Hoover and Lopez, and focuses heavily on lifestyle programming. The two daytime TV staples will wind down production at the end of this summer.
The Steve Wilkos Show had been on the air since 2007. Karamo, hosted by author, actor and reality TV personality Karamo Brown, launched in 2018.
The two shows have already wrapped production on their current seasons and original episodes will air through the summer.
News of the cancellations comes after NBCUniversal and host Kelly Clarkson announced last month that The Kelly Clarkson Show is ending after seven seasons.
“This season will be my last hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show. Stepping away from the daily schedule will allow me to prioritize my kids, which feels necessary and right for this next chapter of our lives,” said Clarkson on Feb. 2.
“I’m grateful to Kelly for bringing her talent and energy to this. Her warmth, quick sense of humor and connection with people created a show that made fans feel seen, heard and a little bit better about their day,” added Tracie Wilson, executive vice president of NBCUniversal Syndication Studios.
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