A planned late-night TV interview with a Texas state lawmaker never aired Monday after CBS stopped The Late Show with Stephen Colbert from broadcasting it, citing federal election regulations.
Host Stephen Colbert told viewers during his show that network lawyers prevented the scheduled appearance by Texas state Rep. James Talarico because of concerns about the Federal Communications Commission’s equal-time rule. The policy can require broadcast stations to offer comparable airtime to opposing candidates during an election period.
Instead of airing the segment on television, the program released the full interview online after the taping. Colbert explained the decision on air, saying the network feared regulatory consequences if a political candidate appeared without giving similar access to opponents.
The move quickly drew attention because late-night shows routinely host public officials, but the restrictions apply specifically to candidates for office when they appear on broadcast television rather than cable or digital platforms. Networks often rely on legal review during election seasons to determine whether an appearance qualifies as news coverage, entertainment programming, or political promotion.
The incident highlights how older broadcast rules still shape modern media. The equal-time provision was written decades before streaming and social media, but traditional over-the-air networks remain subject to it. By releasing the interview online instead of broadcasting it, the show avoided triggering the requirement while still making the conversation public.
Neither CBS nor Talarico reported any penalties or regulatory action tied to the episode. The network has not indicated whether future appearances by candidates will be restricted, but legal reviews typically increase as elections approach.
The situation underscores the difference between broadcast and internet distribution: a segment blocked on television can still reach viewers through digital platforms, reflecting how political communication increasingly shifts online while broadcast outlets remain governed by federal licensing rules.
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