NBCUniversal Cancels Long-Running Shows Access Hollywood, Karamo, and The Steve Wilkos Show

The decision marks a shift in the television landscape as audiences increasingly turn to streaming and digital alternatives.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 2:03am

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NBCUniversal has announced the cancellation of several long-running syndicated shows, including the entertainment news program Access Hollywood, as well as Karamo and The Steve Wilkos Show. This move signals a broader shift in the television industry, with the rise of streaming services, cable news, and video podcasts eroding the traditional first-run syndication model that has sustained these programs for decades.

Why it matters

The cancellation of these shows represents the end of an era for entertainment journalism and daytime television. It reflects the changing preferences of local stations, which are increasingly prioritizing local and national news, community programming, and established national franchises over syndicated entertainment shows. This shift is driven by the growing popularity of digital alternatives like video podcasts, which offer similar content at a lower cost.

The details

NBCUniversal's decision to exit first-run syndication will result in the cancellation of Access Hollywood, Karamo, and The Steve Wilkos Show. While the company will continue to distribute its existing program library, it is expected to focus more on off-network titles rather than investing in new, first-run syndicated programming. The move is also expected to lead to layoffs and the closure of NBCUniversal's Stamford Studios facility in Connecticut, where Karamo and The Steve Wilkos Show were produced.

  • Access Hollywood debuted in September 1996, marking a nearly 30-year run.
  • The final episodes of Karamo and The Steve Wilkos Show will air through the summer of 2026.

The players

NBCUniversal

A media and entertainment company that owns and operates several television networks, including NBC, as well as various production and distribution assets.

Access Hollywood

A long-running entertainment news program that has been a staple of television for nearly three decades, currently hosted by Mario Lopez, Kit Hoover, Scott Evans, and Zuri Hall.

Karamo

A daytime talk show hosted by Karamo Brown, known for his work on the reality series Queer Eye.

The Steve Wilkos Show

A daytime talk show hosted by Steve Wilkos, a former security guard on The Jerry Springer Show.

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What’s next

NBCUniversal is expected to continue distributing its existing program library, including titles like Dateline, Law & Order, Chicago PD, Maury, Jerry Springer, Steve Wilkos, and Karamo, to stations and other platforms.

The takeaway

The cancellation of Access Hollywood, Karamo, and The Steve Wilkos Show marks a significant shift in the television landscape, as traditional syndicated entertainment shows face increasing competition from digital alternatives and changing viewer preferences. This move by NBCUniversal reflects the broader challenges facing the daytime television industry, which must adapt to the rise of streaming, video podcasts, and the growing demand for local and community-focused programming.