Given the economic climate, CBS was able to negotiate a lower license fee with “Late Show” production company Worldwide Pants. Previous agreements gave the host a salary of around $30 million per year. It’s not clear if the fee cutback impacts Letterman’s salary, or just production costs.
Letterman, 62, has been on CBS since 1993, when he joined the network after leaving NBC’s “Late Night” (where he was replaced by O’Brien). Since September, “Late Show” has averaged 3.8 million viewers and a 1.1 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic. That is up 6% in viewers from the same period a year earlier and steady in the demo.
The host is repped by CAA and attorney Jim Jackoway.
CBS would not comment Monday.
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