‘Access Hollywood’ cancelled after 30 years as NBCUniversal shuts down syndicated shows
According to reports, two episodes of the show will continue airing through the Summer before production stops completely.
NBCUniversal has cancelled the long-running entertainment news programme ‘Access Hollywood‘. The decision ends a remarkable thirty-year run for the popular celebrity news show. Moreover, the move comes as NBCUniversal exits the first-run syndication business entirely.
First, Access Hollywood debuted in 1996 and quickly became a television staple. The programme delivered daily entertainment news, celebrity interviews, and Hollywood exclusives. Over the decades, the show built a loyal audience across national television markets.
However, NBCUniversal now plans a major strategy shift. The company will end production of several syndicated daytime programmes. As a result, ‘Access Hollywood’ will conclude alongside ‘Access Live’, ‘Karamo’, and ‘The Steve Wilkos Show’.
Executives say the decision reflects changing television economics. Specifically, local stations now prefer news programming and established off-network content. Consequently, NBCUniversal determined the traditional syndication model no longer works financially.
Nevertheless, viewers will not lose the shows immediately. New episodes will continue airing through the Summer before production stops completely. Afterward, stations may replace the programming with news or other syndicated content.
Meanwhile, the cancellation affects several production teams across the network. Staff members behind the shows now face layoffs as NBCUniversal restructures its daytime strategy. The change marks one of the largest shifts in the company’s syndicated television division in years.
Importantly, NBCUniversal will still distribute existing television libraries. Popular franchises such as ‘Dateline’, ‘Law & Order’, and ‘Chicago PD’ will remain available to affiliate stations. Therefore, the company will stay active in distribution despite ending original syndicated production.
Ultimately, the cancellation highlights broader changes across daytime television. Many syndicated talk and entertainment programmes now struggle to maintain ratings in the streaming era. As audiences move online, networks increasingly rethink traditional broadcast formats.
For now, ‘Access Hollywood’ prepares for its final chapter. After three decades of celebrity interviews, red carpets, and entertainment coverage, the iconic programme will soon sign off television screens for good.
