Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr said he intends to “enforce the law” as CBS and late-night host Stephen Colbert argue over whether an interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico could be aired on broadcast television.
The dispute escalated this week after CBS issued a statement saying it did not bar Colbert from airing the interview. According to the network, its attorneys offered “legal guidance” that broadcasting the segment could trigger the FCC’s “equal time” rule, which generally requires comparable airtime opportunities for other legally qualified candidates in the same race.
Appearing Wednesday on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, Carr described the equal-time requirement as a safeguard meant to prevent broadcasters from influencing elections. He said the rule exists so “the American people can decide,” and added that the FCC would “hold broadcasters accountable” for compliance.
Colbert responded on his show by saying CBS lawyers warned him “in no uncertain terms” not to air the interview, citing concern about potential FCC retaliation. He accused Carr of trying to silence critics of President Donald Trump, arguing the situation reflects an effort to pressure television networks that air unfavorable commentary.
CBS disputed Colbert’s characterization, saying it did not prohibit the interview and that it provided options for how any equal-time obligations to other candidates could be met. Carr echoed that view in his Fox News appearance, saying CBS had been “very clear” the interview could run, provided the show complied with the law.
The disagreement also centers on how the equal-time rule applies to entertainment programming. While the rule covers broadcasters and radio stations using public airwaves, it has not traditionally been enforced against late-night talk shows. Colbert said he could not find an example of the rule being enforced for talk-show interviews going back decades, and noted that Carr had discussed reconsidering the long-standing talk-show exemption but had not formally removed it. Colbert added that CBS effectively treated the exemption as if it were already gone.
In January, the FCC issued updated guidance warning that hosts of late-night and daytime programs should be mindful of equal-time requirements when featuring political candidates. Carr later reiterated to reporters that Congress enacted the provision to prevent major media centers from “picking the winners and losers” in both primaries and general elections, and said the FCC would apply the law.
CBS is owned by Paramount Global. Colbert’s show is scheduled to end in May.
The interview with Talarico was ultimately released on YouTube and promoted on-air rather than broadcast in full on television. Talarico wrote on X that the controversy boosted fundraising, claiming the campaign raised $2.5 million in a day. The YouTube interview had surpassed seven million views as of Thursday morning.
