>Naively, these seem like contradictory statements.
It isn't contradictory. They don't want to publicly admit "hey nobody watched our unfunny show" because then it might impact their shares/valuation. Most likely that show was a loss leader.
“Now, I believe this kind of complicated financial settlement with a sitting government official has a technical name in legal circles: It’s big fat bribe, because this all comes as Paramount owners are trying to get the Trump administration to approve the sale of our network to a new owner, Skydance.”
maybe they are worried that Colbert will say things that are actionable and could lead to more lawsuits?
Colbert had the highest ratings of any late night host and it's not even close. Even amongst dwindling ratings across all late night shows, he was big. Pretty hard to believe this was a purely financial decision made at the exact time he made his comments about Paramount.
Also not sure how being laid off for criticizing your host networks back channel deals with the White House makes you a corporate mouth piece, but what do I know.
Crazy you're being downvoted for having a voice of wisdom, but HN is ideologically captured so not questioning the groupthink party line does give you the downvotes.
It isn't contradictory. They don't want to publicly admit "hey nobody watched our unfunny show" because then it might impact their shares/valuation. Most likely that show was a loss leader.