Paramount Global Removes Decades of Entertainment Coverage from MTV News and Comedy Central: A Look at the Disappearing Archives

New York City, New York, USA United States of America
Affected sites now redirect visitors to network-branded versions of Paramount+, where not all content is accessible.
Beloved series such as The Daily Show and The Colbert Report no longer have their full archives available online.
Decades of entertainment coverage have vanished from the traditional versions of these sites.
It is unclear why some portions of these shows were removed.
Paramount Global has removed archived content from MTV News and Comedy Central websites.
Paramount Global Removes Decades of Entertainment Coverage from MTV News and Comedy Central: A Look at the Disappearing Archives

In a recent development, Paramount Global has removed archived content from several of its websites, including MTV News and Comedy Central. The move has left many fans disappointed as decades of entertainment coverage have vanished from the traditional versions of these sites.

The affected sites now redirect visitors to network-branded versions of Paramount+, where some content is available for streaming. However, not all clips and episodes are accessible on the platform or YouTube.

For instance, beloved series such as The Daily Show and The Colbert Report no longer have their full archives available online. Clips from shows like South Park and Key & Peele are also missing.

It is unclear why some portions of these shows were removed, especially since they are not available on Paramount+ or YouTube in their entirety.

The decision to pull down old content comes as Paramount's leaders discussed job cuts and cost-cutting measures with staff. In a statement, a Paramount spokesperson said the company was introducing more streamlined versions of its sites to drive fans to Paramount+.

Former and current Daily Show staffers have expressed their disappointment on social media, with some noting that the clip archive on the website was an essential resource for producing new episodes.

The removal of online archives is just one aspect of Paramount's ongoing efforts to reduce costs. The company aims to trim half a billion dollars as it faces declining profits in its traditional TV business and growing losses from Paramount+.


Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image

Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Are there plans to make the full archives available on Paramount+ in the future?
  • Why were specific clips or episodes removed?

Sources

80%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

‘Daily Show’ Veterans Decry Loss of Clip Archive After Comedy Central Website Gutted: “S**t Ain’t Right”

The Hollywood Reporter Rick Porter Thursday, 27 June 2024 19:14
  • Unique Points
    • Comedy Central's website was largely stripped of content this week and mostly redirects users to Paramount+.
    • The archive of episodes and clips covering most of The Daily Show's history is now gone from Comedy Central's website.
    • Some material is on YouTube but only recent seasons are available for streaming on Paramount+.
    • Former and current Daily Show staffers are not satisfied with this decision, expressing their disappointment on social media.
  • Accuracy
    • The archive of episodes and clips covering most of The Daily Show’s history is now gone from Comedy Central’s website.
    • Paramount laid off 25% of jobs from companies it owns.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article reports on the loss of The Daily Show's clip archive from Comedy Central's website without providing any evidence that the author, Rick Porter, holds a biased opinion towards this issue. However, there are instances of emotional manipulation and sensationalism in the article. The former Daily Show staffers quoted in the article express their disappointment and frustration over the loss of the clip archive. The author does not add his own opinions to these quotes but instead reports them as facts, which could potentially manipulate readers' emotions. Additionally, there is a sense of urgency and importance conveyed through phrases like 'This shit ain't right.' and 'Gotta bring back the bootleg DVD man.' These phrases contribute to the sensationalism of the article. Furthermore, selective reporting is present as the article only reports on The Daily Show's clip archive being lost without mentioning any potential benefits or reasons for this decision.
    • On social network Bluesky, Daily Show writer and producer Daniel Radosh noted that the show’s staff would regularly use the clip archive on the website: “Hey for extra fun guess what was the only way for people who still work at the show to find old clips that are important to have in the course of producing said show!” he wrote.
    • Gotta bring back the bootleg DVD man,” former Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr. wrote on X. This shit ain’t right.”
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to emotion by quoting former and current Daily Show staffers expressing their disappointment and frustration over the loss of the clip archive on Comedy Central's website. This is a form of informal fallacy known as 'appeal to emotion'.
    • “Gotta bring back the bootleg DVD man,” former Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr.
    • “We have introduced more streamlined versions of our sites, driving fans to Paramount+ to watch their favorite shows,” the company said in a statement.
    • “Hey for extra fun guess what was the only way for people who still work at the show to find old clips that are important to have in the course of producing said show!” he wrote.
    • “2002: ‘Careful, kids, the Internet is forever!’ 2024: ‘Oh, hey, all the work you did for a decade of your life was just deleted from the Internet for Business Reasons.'”
  • Bias (95%)
    The author expresses disapproval towards Paramount's decision to remove the clip archive from Comedy Central's website and quotes former Daily Show staffers who share similar sentiments. This can be considered an example of ideological bias as the author and quoted individuals hold a negative viewpoint towards Paramount's decision.
    • Gotta bring back the bootleg DVD man,” former Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr. wrote on X.
      • On social network Bluesky, Daily Show writer and producer Daniel Radosh noted that the show’s staff would regularly use the clip archive on the website: “Hey for extra fun guess what was the only way for people who still work at the show to find old clips that are important to have in the course of producing said show!”
        • Tim Carvell, an executive producer of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver and 10-year Daily Show veteran, took a shot at Paramount in a Bluesky post: “2002: ‘Careful, kids, the Internet is forever!’ 2024: ‘Oh, hey, all the work you did for a decade of your life was just deleted from the Internet for Business Reasons.'”
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        100%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        MTV deletes news archives from internet, erasing over two decades of articles

        USA Today Wednesday, 26 June 2024 00:00
        • Unique Points
          • MTV News archives were deleted from the internet on Monday.
          • The deletion removed decades of music journalism.
          • Links to mtvnews.com and mtv.com/news now redirect to MTV’s homepage.
          • Former MTV news staffers mourned the loss on social media. Some earlier articles are not accessible using the Wayback Machine.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        83%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Comedy Central Website Removes Archive of Video Clips, Content

        Variety Todd Spangler Wednesday, 26 June 2024 22:55
        • Unique Points
          • Comedy Central’s website, which has hosted content dating back 25 years, has had its archive removed by parent company Paramount Global.
          • Thousands of ‘Daily Show’ clips remain free to watch on YouTube, but those go back only to 2015.
          • Paramount Global has also removed the full archive of MTV News and articles from CMT.
        • Accuracy
          • Thousands of 'Daily Show' clips remain free to watch on YouTube, but those go back only to 2015.
          • Some material is on YouTube but only recent seasons are available for streaming on Paramount+.
          • It is unclear why some portions of these shows, as well as the entire MTVNews archive, are now effectively lost.
        • Deception (80%)
          The article reports factual information about Comedy Central removing content from their website and directing fans to Paramount+. However, the author does use emotional manipulation by stating 'thousands of Daily Show clips remain free to watch on YouTube, but those go back only to 2015.' This statement is intended to elicit an emotional response from readers who may be frustrated or disappointed that they can no longer access older content for free. Additionally, the author selectively reports details by focusing on Comedy Central and MTV News archives being removed, while not mentioning any other sites or archives that may have been affected. This gives the reader a skewed perspective of the situation.
          • While the Comedy Central site directs fans to Paramount+ to find programming, many older episodes of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are unavailable on the streamer.
          • Thousands of Daily Show clips remain free to watch on YouTube, but those go back only to 2015.
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The article contains a dichotomous depiction and an appeal to authority. It presents the removal of content from Comedy Central's website as a move by Paramount Global to push fans towards Paramount+, without providing alternative perspectives. Additionally, it quotes a statement from Paramount Global without critically examining or questioning its claims.
          • . . . the site has until now hosted clips from all episodes of “The Daily Show” since 1999, as well as segments from the full 11-season run of Stephen Colbert’s “The Colbert Report,” among other video content.
          • In a statement provided to Variety, a Paramount Global rep said, “As part of broader website changes across Paramount, we have introduced more streamlined versions of our sites, driving fans to Paramount+ to watch their favorite shows.”
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        72%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Paramount's strategy of purposeful digital rot doesn't even make sense

        Engadget Danny Gallagher Friday, 28 June 2024 01:08
        • Unique Points
          • Paramount removed old clips and episodes of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, TV Land, CMT and Paramount Network from Comedy Central’s website
          • It is unclear why some portions of these shows, as well as the entire MTVNews archive, are now effectively lost
        • Accuracy
          • Most of those old episodes aren't available on Paramount+
        • Deception (10%)
          The author expresses his emotional reaction to Paramount's decision to remove old clips and episodes from Comedy Central's website and mentions that most of them are not available on Paramount+. This is an example of selective reporting as the author only reports details that support his negative opinion towards Paramount, while omitting information about the reasons behind their decision or alternative ways to access the content. The author also uses emotional manipulation by expressing disappointment and frustration towards Paramount's move.
          • This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.
          • It's a bizarre move because most of those old episodes aren’t available on its Paramount+ streaming service.
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        73%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Paramount Kills More Online Content, Axing Archives From Comedy Central, MTV, TV Land and CMT

        Entertainment Variety Tv Site: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv-site/ Mike Roe Friday, 28 June 2024 01:09
        • Unique Points
          • Paramount has pulled down archived content from MTV News and is now removing content from Comedy Central, MTV, TV Land, Paramount Network, and CMT.
          • Decades of entertainment coverage have been removed from the traditional versions of these sites.
          • Clips from shows like ‘The Daily Show’, ‘The Colbert Report’, ‘South Park’, ‘Key & Peele’ are no longer available on these sites or on Paramount+ or YouTube.
        • Accuracy
          • Comedy Central episodes can still be watched through a TV provider, but archives are being removed from the Comedy Central site.
        • Deception (30%)
          The article uses sensational language in the title and body to grab the reader's attention. The author also selectively reports information by only mentioning the removal of archives from certain sites without mentioning that some sites remain intact. Additionally, there is a lie by omission as the author fails to mention that some content may still be available on Paramount+ or other platforms.
          • However, the sites of Nickelodeon, BET and VH1 remain intact – for the moment.
          • It also meant the removal of sharable clips from shows like South Park, Key & Peele and others that aren't also available on either the streaming platform or YouTube.
          • Paramount moved to pull down archived content from MTV News earlier this week, including decades of entertainment coverage.
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by referring to Paramount's actions as 'the reaper comes for' and 'biggest losses of online video content'. This is an appeal to emotion and can be considered a form of informal fallacy.
          • The reaper comes for the online homes of Comedy Central, MTV itself, TV Land, the Paramount Network and CMT
          • It also meant the removal of sharable clips from shows like 'South Park,' 'Key & Peele' and others that aren’t also available on either the streaming platform or YouTube.
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication