LMFP announced a licensing agreement with CBS to use Guaraldi’s Peanuts music on Stephen Colbert’s final The Late Show, with all proceeds directed to World Central Kitchen.

The deal comes after four infringement lawsuits by Lee Mendelson Film Productions, underscoring a push for written licenses for commercial use of Peanuts music.

Colbert’s May 21 finale featured a prank tied to the ongoing copyright disputes over the Linus and Lucy theme, while the post-show was used to highlight the charitable outcome.

Observers suggest Paramount Skydance’s ownership dynamics may have influenced CBS’s decision to end The Late Show, amid broader lineup changes and tensions surrounding former President Trump.

The Paramount-CBS merger was approved shortly after CBS announced the show’s departure, placing the cancellation in a larger regulatory and corporate context.

Colbert’s post-show activity and hints of future projects, including a Warner Bros. Lord of the Rings film with Peter Jackson and a local TV special in Monroe, Michigan, frame ancillary notes to the main settlement.

The overall narrative ties Colbert’s prank to a charitable donation while situating The Late Show’s end within industry and political dynamics rather than pure finances.

The licensing arrangement is described as a retroactive clearance that avoids litigation, likely expedited by the humorous and non-commercial nature of the segment.

US licensing differs from the UK’s blanket licence system; retrospective licenses are more common in the US and can be lucrative for publishers.

The final show featured surprise appearances by Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Tig Notaro, and Ryan Reynolds, with Paul McCartney giving Colbert his final interview.

CBS did not immediately comment; a spokesperson confirmed the agreement but indicated there was no prior blanket license for the episode.

The resolution provides a post hoc license and charitable benefit, with monetary terms undisclosed.