FCC Guidance Forces Networks to Re‑Evaluate Equal‑Time Risks The Federal Communications Commission’s chair, Brendan Carr, issued new guidance in January stating that late‑night and daytime talk shows no longer qualify for the “bona‑fide news” exemption, meaning any candidate interview could trigger equal‑time obligations [1][2]. CBS lawyers warned “The Late Show” staff that airing Texas Rep. James Talarico’s interview might obligate the network to provide comparable airtime to other Senate primary candidates [1][2]. Colbert disclosed the dispute on‑air, saying the network’s legal counsel blocked the broadcast to avoid potential FCC retaliation [1][2].

CBS Shifts Interview to YouTube to Circumvent Broadcast Rules Rather than cancel the segment, CBS posted the full conversation on the show’s YouTube channel, a platform exempt from the FCC’s equal‑time rule [1][2]. The network promoted the online exclusive during the televised program, offering viewers a way to watch the interview without violating the new guidance [1][2]. CBS later clarified that it was not “barred” from airing the piece but simply followed legal advice to prevent a broadcast‑level equal‑time requirement [1][2].

Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez Rejects FCC’s New Stance Commissioner Anna Gomez publicly condemned the FCC’s interpretation, asserting that the commission has not adopted any policy change to alter the exemption for talk shows [1][2]. She labeled the investigation into the interview a “sham” intended to intimidate broadcasters and defended the First Amendment right to free speech [1][2]. Gomez’s criticism highlights partisan disagreement over the FCC’s authority in this area [1][2].

Interview Generates Over Two Million Views and Aids Talarico’s Campaign The YouTube upload quickly amassed more than 2 million views, providing significant exposure for Talarico ahead of the March 3 Democratic Senate primary [2]. Talarico’s campaign framed the incident as an attempt by the Trump‑aligned administration to suppress his message, using the viral clip to rally supporters [2]. The surge in online attention has been credited with boosting his poll numbers in the tightly contested race [2].

Paramount Settlement Mentioned Only in BBC Report The BBC article notes that Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, paid a $16 million settlement related to a Kamala Harris interview, a move viewed as protecting its pending merger with Skydance Media from possible FCC intervention [1]. The CNN piece does not reference this settlement, indicating a discrepancy in coverage regarding corporate‑level ramifications of the FCC dispute [2].