Paramount renews Jon Stewart's 'The Daily Show' through 2026
What's the story
Paramount has officially extended Jon Stewart's contract to host Comedy Central's The Daily Show through 2026. The deal will see Stewart hosting the show once a week until the end of 2026, covering the upcoming midterm elections. This announcement puts an end to months of speculation about the future of this late-night talk show under Paramount's ownership.
Show structure
Stewart's role and show's correspondents
Stewart, who returned to The Daily Show in 2024 after a nine-year hiatus, will continue his role on Mondays. The show's correspondents will take turns hosting on Tuesdays through Thursdays. Stewart had previously said he wanted a platform to "unload thoughts as we get into this election season" when he made his comeback. His return has been a major draw for the show, keeping its ratings strong despite concerns over Paramount's merger process and other political pressures.
Contract concerns
Uncertainty surrounding Stewart's future
Stewart's future at Comedy Central became uncertain during Paramount's lengthy merger process and its "concessions" to the Donald Trump administration. This uncertainty deepened when CBS, Comedy Central's corporate sibling, canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in July. Stewart, a friend of Colbert and producer of The Late Show, publicly questioned the rationale behind this decision in a scathing monologue. Media analysts noted that his contract was set to expire at the end of the year.
Corporate changes
Paramount's new owners and Stewart's response
In August, new owners took over Paramount and expressed their intention to revitalize cable channels like Comedy Central while also cutting costs. This change came amid growing concerns about media moguls bowing to pressure from the Trump administration. Despite these pressures, Stewart has remained steadfast in his commitment not to give in to bullying from Washington. In a recent on-stage interview with The New Yorker's David Remnick, he confirmed that they were "working on staying."
Official announcement
'We're proud to support Jon and the extraordinary news team'
Therefore, on Monday (US time), Paramount announced that Stewart will continue to host and executive produce The Daily Show through December 2026. Ari Pearce, head of Comedy Central, said in a statement that Stewart's return "is an ongoing commitment to the incisive comedy and sharp commentary that define The Daily Show." He added, "We're proud to support Jon and the extraordinary news team."