By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - A Democratic member of the Federal Communications Commission said on Thursday the Trump administration is threatening major broadcast networks by issuing new guidance on equal time rules for late-night and daytime talk show interviews with political candidates.

"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will conclude in May after more than 30 years on air, with Colbert hosting for more than 10 years.

The agency said exemptions to laws requiring FCC licensees to provide equal opportunities to candidates should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez said the guidance contrasts with the FCC's long-standing view that such programs are entitled to editorial discretion based on newsworthiness, not political favoritism.

FCC appears to be taking a dim view of whether late-night and daytime TV talk shows that interview politicians deserve an exemption from the 'equal time' rules

A review by Fox News Digital shows that only one Republican out of nearly 60 active politicians were invited on the liberal talk shows on the three broadcast networks in 2025.

The FCC has announced plans to enforce rules that late-night programs give equal time to opposing political candidates.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s crackdown on late-night TV shows no signs of slowing down. In the Federal Communications Commission’s January press conference, Carr, 48, whom late-night host Jimmy Kimmel referred to as Trump’s “little ferret in the FCC,

The FCC announced it will enforce its "equal opportunities requirement" for politicians who appear on network shows like "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "The View."