NBCUniversal has announced the cancellation of four first-run syndicated shows as part of changes to its syndication division. The affected programs include Access Hollywood, Access Hollywood Live, Karamo, and The Steve Wilkos Show. The decision aims to align with local station preferences.
NBCUniversal is adjusting its first-run syndication division to better match the programming needs of local stations, leading to the end of production for several daytime talk and entertainment shows. The cancellations encompass Access Hollywood, Access Hollywood Live, Karamo, and The Steve Wilkos Show.
Frances Berwick, chairman of unscripted programming for Bravo and Peacock, provided a statement on the changes: "NBCUniversal is making changes to our first-run syndication division to better align with the programming preferences of local stations. 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. These shows have provided audiences with great talk and entertainment content for many years and we're very proud of the teams behind them."
Production on Karamo and The Steve Wilkos Show has already concluded, with new episodes set to air through the summer. Access Hollywood will continue producing new episodes until September. This development follows the recent announcement that The Kelly Clarkson Show will conclude its seventh season this fall.
The move reflects broader shifts in the daytime television landscape, though NBCUniversal plans to maintain distribution of its existing content library.