Overview
- Stephen Colbert said CBS discouraged airing his pre-recorded interview with Democrat James Talarico because of potential equal-time obligations under new FCC guidance.
- CBS disputed any ban and said it only provided legal advice that broadcasting the segment could trigger requirements to give rival candidates comparable airtime.
- Colbert uploaded the nearly 15-minute interview to YouTube, where it drew millions of views overnight, highlighting how online platforms bypass broadcast rules.
- Colbert argued he could find no instance since the 1960s of equal-time rules being applied to a talk‑show interview and criticized FCC chair Brendan Carr for partisan motives.
- The episode lands just before the Texas Democratic Senate primary, with Talarico promoting the clip online as he competes with Rep. Jasmine Crockett for the nomination.