CBS has paid a licensing fee to Lee Mendelson Film Productions, Inc. (LMFP) for using the music from ‘Peanuts’ in the final broadcast of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ on May 21. The show’s house band played a snippet from the ‘Peanuts’ tune ‘Linus and Lucy,’ by composer Vince Guaraldi.

Licensing Agreement

LMFP, which controls Guaraldi’s music, said it had entered into a licensing agreement with CBS for the use of the music. The company stated that proceeds from the deal would be donated to the nonprofit organization World Central Kitchen, headed by Chef José Andrés.

Colbert’s penultimate show included a $2.5 million donation to World Central Kitchen, which was raised through an auction of ‘Late Show’ memorabilia. LMFP found the music’s use on ‘The Late Show’ funny and entertaining and is proud to support World Central Kitchen’s mission.

Background

LMFP has recently taken legal action against companies and government agencies that infringe upon its artists’ rights. The production company enforces licensing protection to remind anyone who uses its music in a commercial setting that permission is required.

CBS said its decision to end ‘The Late Show’ after 33 years on the air was due to the program reportedly losing $40 million annually. Critics suggest the network’s 2025 acquisition by Paramount Skydance Corporation was a factor, with the new owner happy to take one of the administration’s harshest critics off its airwaves.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.