NEWS'Access Hollywood' Canceled: NBCUniversal Shuts Down Syndicated TV Production in Major Industry Shift
‘Access Hollywood’ is preparing to end its run after nearly 30 years.
March 19 2026, Published 9:05 a.m. ET
The cameras are still rolling for now, but behind the scenes, one of television’s most recognizable entertainment brands is heading toward its final act.
NBCUniversal is shutting down production of its first-run syndicated programming slate, a sweeping move that will bring Access Hollywood, Access Live, Karamo and The Steve Wilkos Show to an end. The decision marks a significant pivot for the company and underscores the mounting pressure on traditional daytime and syndicated TV formats.
End of an Era for 'Access Hollywood'
NBCUniversal shut down major syndicated TV production.
After nearly three decades on air, Access Hollywood will wrap production later this summer. The show, which first premiered in September 1996, has long been a fixture of entertainment journalism, currently hosted by Mario Lopez, Kit Hoover, Scott Evans and Zuri Hall.
Its companion program, Access Live, will also conclude its run, while Karamo — hosted by Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown — and The Steve Wilkos Show have already completed production, with final episodes set to air through the summer.
“NBCUniversal is making changes to our first-run syndication division to better align with the programming preferences of local stations,” Frances Berwick, chairman of Bravo & Peacock unscripted for NBCUniversal, said in a statement. She added that the company will continue distributing its existing program library while winding down new production.
A Sudden and Emotional Cancelation
Staff learned of the cancelation before Oscars weekend.
For staff, the announcement landed abruptly. According to The New York Post, Access Hollywood employees learned the show had been canceled during a tearful morning call just ahead of Oscars weekend.
Despite the shock, teams were expected to continue working, including covering the Academy Awards that same weekend. One source described it as a “pretty sh***y start to Oscars weekend,” while noting that staff still had to go live and produce content without clarity on their future or severance.
Even senior producers were reportedly caught off guard, highlighting how quickly the decision came together.
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Why NBCU Is Walking Away From Syndication
Executives cited changing station programming priorities.
NBCUniversal’s move reflects broader shifts in how local stations and audiences consume content. The company has determined that the traditional syndicated studio model is no longer sustainable, as stations increasingly prioritize local news, national news programming and select established franchises.
The decision follows the earlier announcement that The Kelly Clarkson Show will end later this year, further signaling a contraction in the daytime talk space.
At the same time, competition has intensified. Video podcasts and digital platforms are capturing many of the same celebrity interviews and cultural conversations that once defined syndicated TV — often at a fraction of the cost.
What Comes Next
The move reflected pressure across daytime television.
While NBCUniversal is exiting first-run syndication, it will continue distributing its extensive library of existing programming, including titles like Dateline, Law & Order, Chicago P.D., Maury, Jerry Springer, Steve Wilkos and Karamo.
As one of the last remaining legacy formats gives way to changing viewer habits, the end of Access Hollywood shows that even the most established franchises are no longer immune to the industry’s ongoing transformation.
