Kimmel and Colbert Partner With Netflix on Bold New Series The Final Broadcast

When late-night titans Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert stepped onto a modest Los Angeles stage last night for what was billed simply as “a conversation with fans,” few expected them to unveil what may prove to be one of the most ambitious entertainment projects of the decade.

In a joint announcement that instantly reverberated through Hollywood, the two hosts revealed they are collaborating with Netflix on a limited series tentatively titled The Final Broadcast. The project, which blends investigative journalism, documentary storytelling, and live conversation, represents an uncharted direction not only for the comedians but also for the streaming giant.

“This isn’t just another show,” Kimmel told the crowd. “It’s not comedy, not satire, not news—at least not in the way we’ve known it. It’s a search for truth, a dismantling of noise, and a project that cannot, and will not, be repeated.”

Colbert, standing beside him, added: “We’ve both spent years telling jokes about the news. This is the moment we step away from punchlines and step into accountability. What we’re creating here, together, is an unflinching examination of how stories are told, who tells them, and why so much of the public is left without clarity. And by the final episode, we will put every piece of evidence on the table—enough, we believe, to end some of the most toxic practices in televised news once and for all.”

A Partnership Nobody Predicted

Though Kimmel and Colbert have occasionally appeared on each other’s shows, their careers have largely unfolded on parallel tracks. Kimmel, with his mix of irreverence and sharp political monologues on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Colbert, who evolved from satirist on The Colbert Report to earnest commentator on The Late Show, have defined two distinct late-night voices.

The Netflix project marks the first time they have committed to a sustained collaboration. According to insiders, both hosts will take extended hiatuses from their late-night chairs during production, though neither is leaving his network permanently. Netflix, meanwhile, has committed what sources describe as “an unusually high budget” for a series positioned at the intersection of entertainment, accountability journalism, and cultural critique.

“This isn’t going to look like anything else on Netflix,” said one individual familiar with the deal. “It’s not scripted drama, not straight documentary, and not comedy in the traditional sense. It’s both intimate and sprawling. Imagine two of the sharpest observers of media turning their gaze inward — and outward — with no commercial breaks to hold them back.”

Designed for Closure

Perhaps the most striking element of the announcement was its sense of finality.

“There will not be a sequel,” Kimmel emphasized. “This isn’t meant to become a franchise or a format we can repeat year after year. It’s designed to culminate. By the time the last episode airs, we intend to have laid out the entire story—what’s broken, who’s responsible, and what must change.”

Colbert underscored that the project is not about ideology but about clarity. “We’re not in the business of issuing manifestos,” he said. “We’re in the business of asking questions. But every question we ask in this series is meant to lead to an answer. We believe audiences are hungry for clarity, and we’re going to deliver it — even if it’s uncomfortable.”

Expanding the Circle

Another revelation: Kimmel and Colbert will not be alone on this journey.

“After each episode, new voices will join us,” Colbert explained. “Sometimes journalists, sometimes whistleblowers, sometimes people you’d never expect. They won’t be limited to traditional roles; they’ll come as collaborators, challengers, or witnesses.”

Kimmel added: “We’re not gatekeeping this. Anyone willing to help reshape how television news functions — anyone brave enough to show up and speak the truth — will have a place in this journey.”

Netflix confirmed that guest participants will range from media insiders and political figures to academics and cultural critics, though no names have yet been released.

The Stakes for Television

The project arrives at a precarious moment for both late-night and mainstream news media. Cable news ratings continue to slide, while late-night comedy, once a cultural lodestar, has ceded much of its dominance to podcasts, social media, and streaming clips.

By merging their reputations with Netflix’s global reach, Kimmel and Colbert are signaling an acknowledgment of that shift — and a willingness to redefine what relevance looks like.

“The ambition here is undeniable,” said media critic Laura Simmons. “But ambition doesn’t always translate into clarity. If they can strike the balance between accountability and entertainment, they could change the way audiences engage with televised truth. If not, it risks becoming another echo chamber.”

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was more optimistic. “The fact that they’re willing to risk their reputations on a project they say will never be repeated speaks volumes. This isn’t just another content deal. It’s a shot across the bow to the entire industry.”

What Comes Next

Production on The Final Broadcast is expected to begin later this fall, with a premiere tentatively slated for late 2026. While Netflix has not confirmed an episode count, sources suggest between six and eight installments, each running over an hour.

For fans, the announcement represents an unexpected merging of two late-night voices. For critics of television news, it signals a possible reckoning. And for Netflix, it is a gamble on a format that refuses to fit a mold.

As the event concluded, Colbert offered a parting thought that captured the ambition of the project:

“We’ve made a lot of people laugh about the news,” he said. “Now it’s time to see if we can make people believe in it again.”