Observed Signal · Jun 17, 2026 · Licensing Agreement · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
CBS Licenses Peanuts Music After Unauthorized Use
CBS has signed a licensing agreement with Lee Mendelson Film Productions (LMFP) after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert used Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy” theme without prior permission during Colbert’s final episode. LMFP said proceeds from the agreement will be donated to Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen; Colbert previously donated $2.5 million to the organization. LMFP has been enforcing copyrights on the Guaraldi catalog through multiple federal lawsuits and said the licensing action underscores the need for written music licenses in commercial settings. LMFP representatives Jason Mendelson and attorney Marc Jacobson issued statements highlighting enforcement and education around copyright compliance.
Legal enforcement and licensing of music rights by a major broadcaster highlights commercial clearance risks for media owners and content producers; proceeds-to-charity and high-profile donor involvement are notable but do not materially shift industry dynamics.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- CBS signed a licensing agreement with Lee Mendelson Film Productions (LMFP) for the use of Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy” theme after it was performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert finale.
- LMFP said proceeds from the licensing agreement will be donated to World Central Kitchen; Stephen Colbert previously donated $2.5 million to that organization.
- LMFP has filed four federal copyright lawsuits to enforce rights in the Guaraldi catalog against Buckle‑Down, Inc., Heritage Auctions, GameMill Entertainment, and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
- Jason Mendelson (Chairman, LMFP) and Marc Jacobson (lead attorney for LMFP) issued statements stressing the importance of obtaining written licenses for commercial music use.
Related Market Signals & Shifts
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CBS Turns Colbert Slot From $40M Loss to $15M Gain
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CBS Cancels The Late Show After Financial Losses
Cord Cutters News marks the one-year anniversary of CBS and parent company Paramount Global's announcement on July 17, 2025 that 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' would end after a decade on the air. The program, which debuted in 2015 and concluded in May 2026, was cancelled reportedly because of declining advertising revenue and rising production costs that left the series consistently unprofitable. Paramount officials said reallocating resources to other programming and streaming initiatives was necessary, while the announcement prompted public backlash, petitions, and debate over late-night formats' adaptability to changing viewer habits. Nielsen and other measurement firms indicated audience erosion in the 18–49 demographic, reinforcing the network's business rationale.
Colbert’s Late Show Ends with Interdimensional Finale
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired its final episode on May 21, 2026, closing with an interdimensional-themed send-off and numerous celebrity cameos, including surprise guest Paul McCartney who performed The Beatles’ “Hello Goodbye.” According to Nielsen’s preliminary live fast national ratings, the finale averaged 6.74 million total viewers, making it the most-watched weeknight episode in the show’s nearly 11-year history. The article notes the program’s all-time high remains its post‑Super Bowl broadcast on Feb. 7, 2016 (20.55 million). For context, The Late Show’s premiere in Sept. 2015 averaged 6.55 million, while the show averaged 2.69 million viewers in Q1 2026 (Nielsen live+7). The broadcast was a celebratory, largely apolitical farewell focused on musical numbers and tributes.
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