CBS Axes Montel Williams After Fox News Controversy
Daytime Emmy Award winner Montel Williams has been shown the door by CBS, wrapping up seventeen years in nationwide talk syndication broadcasting.
CBS Television Distribution decided in January not to renew the talk show after a controversial appearance on Fox News by Williams in which he criticized the lack of media exposure on the Iraq War in the wake of sensationalized news stories, such as the death of actor Heath Ledger. Following the appearance, many key Fox-owned television stations that had carried the show in syndication decided to opt-out of next season’s renewal.
The announcement came shortly after by CBS. Stations that had already signed on for next year’s show will instead be shown a “Best Of” series until the end of the Fall 2008-Spring 2009 television season. The show will be offered on an all-cash basis next season, which is favorable to local stations carrying the show since they’ve previously had to barter for as little as three minutes of ad time during the show’s timeslot.
Only one television station in California—KTTV Fox 11 in Los Angeles—both carries The Montel Williams Show and is a Fox owned-and-operated station. KTVU Fox 2 in Oakland is a network affiliate, but is operated by Cox Broadcasting, and therefore will likely carry the “Best Of” series next season. Local affiliate KOVR, a CBS owned-and-operated station, will also likely carry the “Best Of” series.
The Montel Williams Show will air its final episode May 16th.
I'm a 21-year-old technology, music and local media blogger from Sacramento, California.
April 30th, 2008 at 12:53 am
montel is a very good hosting his shows.i heard him on the you tube,but when talking about the iraq war and a film actor who sadly passed away i think are two very different issues montel.personnel i would loved to watch mr nordon or gaybo.montel with have to find something else to do.
May 16th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I find it totally disgraceful the method by which the CBS executives chose to murder the Montel Williams show. For the first time in history, cause of death of a daytime talkshow will classified as ‘murder by Sylvia Browne’. Montel, you are an honorable man. May you continue to touch many lives.
June 15th, 2008 at 12:23 am
I can’t believe they would be so stupid as to end the Montel show. Montel is a hero to many. He talks about serious issues. Montel is taken off the air and Maury, Jerry Springer and Tara are left on the air, what is wrong with this picture? I hope another station will offer Montel to air his show on their station.
Montel meant no harm to the deceased his was just showing that one persons death draws more attention than all the men fighting and dying for our country. Montel if you see this I agree with you and I wish you all the happiness in the world. I do hope to see you on the air again. You will be missed. Wake up America or we won’t be a free country for long!
A devoted fan,
Lilly