CNBC Drops ‘Last Call’ in Latest Evening News Revamp

CNBC has decided to end its 7 p.m. program, “Last Call,” which premiered in March last year. The show was part of an endeavor to extend business-news programming into the evening. However, executives found that the target audience didn’t show enough interest at that hour. Consequently, “Last Call” will be replaced by an hour of “Shark Tank,” a trusted evening staple for CNBC.

Brian Sullivan, the anchor of “Last Call,” is anticipated to remain with CNBC. The network plans to reassign the ten or so staffers who contributed to the show. Sullivan’s long-term role within the network is expected to be announced soon.

This development was initially reported by New York Times reporter Ben Mullin on X.

In recent years, CNBC has been experimenting with new evening programming, stepping away from its regular slate of documentaries and series related to its financial coverage. In 2020, the network brought in Shepard Smith from Fox News Channel to host “The News,” which combined business news with broader topics. Smith even covered election night with a special report tailored for CNBC’s audience. Unfortunately, the show didn’t attract a large enough viewership, leading to its cancellation in 2022. The termination was sudden enough that Smith chose not to complete his remaining tenure as host.

For a long time, CNBC has aimed to capture the attention of its Wall Street-centric audience even after markets close. Known for its extensive financial reporting and hosts like Carl Quintanilla and Kelly Evans, the network has struggled to maintain that viewer engagement into the evening. They have often relied on unscripted shows like “Shark Tank,” “The Profit,” and “Jay Leno’s Garage” to fill the late hours. However, as the dynamics of cable TV shift and more viewers migrate to streaming platforms, even these series are being reevaluated.

In the past, CNBC has ventured into various formats to retain its audience post-market hours. Talk shows hosted by personalities such as John McEnroe, Donny Deutsch, and Dennis Miller are just a few examples. Each attempt brings the network closer to figuring out what will keep its niche audience tuned in once the trading day concludes.

More updates will follow as this story develops.

Source: Variety, CNBC