NBCUniversal Cancels Several Long-Running Syndicated Shows

Access Hollywood, Karamo, and The Steve Wilkos Show to end production as company shifts focus.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 7:20pm

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NBCUniversal is shutting down production of several of its first-run syndicated programs, including the long-running entertainment news show Access Hollywood, the talk show Karamo, and The Steve Wilkos Show. The decision marks a major shift for the company as it adapts to changing viewing habits and the evolving needs of local TV stations.

Why it matters

The cancellation of these programs reflects broader shifts within the television industry, as local stations prioritize news, community-focused content, and national franchises over traditional syndicated talk shows. Rising production costs and declining daytime viewership have also made the syndication model more difficult to sustain, while competition from digital platforms offering similar content at lower costs has played a role.

The details

Karamo and The Steve Wilkos Show have already wrapped production, though previously recorded episodes will continue airing through the summer. Access Hollywood and its companion program Access Live will remain in production a bit longer, with new episodes expected to run through late summer or early fall before the programs officially conclude. NBCUniversal had already signaled the changing landscape earlier this year by announcing that The Kelly Clarkson Show would end after seven seasons.

  • Karamo and The Steve Wilkos Show have already wrapped production.
  • Access Hollywood and Access Live will remain in production through late summer or early fall 2026 before concluding.
  • NBCUniversal announced The Kelly Clarkson Show would end after seven seasons earlier this year.

The players

Frances Berwick

Chairman of Bravo and head of Peacock unscripted for NBCUniversal.

Mario Lopez

Current host of Access Hollywood.

Karamo Brown

Personality from 'Queer Eye' who hosted the talk show Karamo.

Steve Wilkos

Former Jerry Springer security guard who hosted The Steve Wilkos Show.

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What they’re saying

“NBCUniversal is making changes to our first-run syndication division to better align with the programming preferences of local stations. The company will remain active in the distribution of our existing program library and other off-network titles, while winding down production of our first-run shows. These shows have provided audiences with great talk and entertainment content for many years and we're very proud of the teams behind them.”

— Frances Berwick, Chairman of Bravo and head of Peacock unscripted for NBCUniversal

What’s next

NBCUniversal is expected to vacate its Stamford Studios in Stamford, Connecticut, where Karamo and The Steve Wilkos Show were filmed, later this year.

The takeaway

The cancellation of these long-running syndicated shows reflects the evolving landscape of the television industry, as local stations prioritize news, community-focused content, and national franchises over traditional daytime talk programming. Rising production costs, declining viewership, and competition from digital platforms have all contributed to the challenges facing the syndication model.