Chris Licht is moving on from news and heading to late night where he has been named executive producer and showrunner of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Licht, who has been vp of programming for CBS News and EP of CBS This Morning, will oversee all aspects of production for Colbert’s show. “I’m thrilled Chris is joining us at ‘The Late Show.’ I am so impressed by what he has done at ‘CBS This Morning,’” said Colbert in a statement. “And I trust someone has told him he doesn’t have to get up at 4 a.m. anymore.”
“You can’t work in this business without being in awe of Stephen Colbert and his talents,” added Licht. “The chance to work with Stephen and help build a valuable late night franchise, while continuing to grow at CBS, is truly an honor. I can’t wait to get started.”
CTM staffers were made aware of the change in the daily 10:30 am meeting that Licht would be moving on and Ryan Kadro, who has been with CTM since the start, will take over as ep. Kadro starts his new job Monday.
“Our CBS News team has built something very unique in the morning that continues to grow in stature and ratings,” Licht added. “I will miss working with them all, but I leave with incredible pride for what we accomplished together, and I can’t wait to see where Ryan takes the show as it moves onward and upward to the next level of success.”
Licht joined CBS News in 2011 from MSNBC where he co-created and was ep of Morning Joe. Licht joined MSNBC in 2005 as Joe Scarborough‘s producer on his evening program Scarborough Country.
At CBS, Licht was tasked with relaunching the network’s morning program which, since its debut in 2012, has continued to show the most growth in the mornings.
“Chris’s vision and track record of leading signature shows in important dayparts is a great next step to build on this terrific foundation,” said Glenn Geller, President, CBS Entertainment. Licht has also been named evp of special programming at CBS Corporation, primarily acting as a content consultant across the company.