Beginning in 2019, Conan O’Brien will see his late-night time slot cut in half, as the famed host doubles down on digital endeavors and live events.
Turner-owned TBS announced at its Upfront presentation today that Conan would be trimmed to 30-minute episodes in 2019, as well as boast a more unstructured format. (Last May, O’Brien signed a four-year deal with TBS). At the same time, TBS announced that it had pacted with O’Brien’s digital company, Team Coco, on online and touring projects, including a ramp-up of digital segments that will also live on the linear show.
“Since I inherited my Late Night show in 1993, TV has changed exponentially,” O’Brien said in a statement, per The Hollywood Reporter. “A half-hour show will give me the time to do a higher percentage of the comedy in and out of the studio that I love and that seems to resonate in this new digital world…I want segments on my half-hour program to link to digital content, deepening the experience for my younger fans, and confusing my older ones.”
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Former Otter Media executive Billy Parks has been named chief brand officer for the newly-formed joint venture between TBS and Team Coco. The pact will also comprise talent deals with stand-up comedians kicking off later this year, when O’Brien and the forthcoming fleet will hit the road on a multi-city tour. O’Brien will also feature emerging comics on his TV show and digital channels.
The Reporter notes that O’Brien is not only the longest-tenured late-night host on television today, but counts the youngest audience. Team Coco has amassed more than 3.4 billion online video views to date.
