Entertainment news is on the chopping block.
For nearly three decades, Access Hollywood brought viewers inside the entertainment industry—from red carpets and film premieres to celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes stories. Now, that chapter is coming to a close.
NBCUniversal confirmed today that the long-running entertainment news program will end after nearly 30 years on the air, with production expected to continue through the summer before the show officially concludes.
Other long-standing entertainment shows have already faced a similar fate. Programs such as E! News have shut down in recent years, while Extra—another familiar entertainment magazine format—has also seen its presence diminish after decades on air as the media landscape continues to evolve. However Extra got renewed this year, surprisingly.
Launched in 1996, Access Hollywood quickly became a staple of syndicated television, offering daily coverage of Hollywood’s biggest stars and cultural moments. Over the years the show featured a rotating roster of hosts and correspondents, with current hosts including Mario Lopez, Kit Hoover, Scott Evans, and Zuri Hall.
The cancellation is part of a broader shift at NBCUniversal, which has decided to step away from producing first-run syndicated programs. In the same move, the company also ended production of talk shows such as Karamo and The Steve Wilkos Show.
Executives explained that the decision reflects changing viewing habits and the evolving needs of local television stations. Instead of producing new syndicated shows, NBCUniversal plans to focus on distributing its existing program library and other off-network titles.
The end of Access Hollywood marks a broader shift in entertainment journalism on television. Traditional syndicated entertainment news programs—once a daily destination for celebrity coverage—have struggled as audiences increasingly turn to social media, streaming platforms, podcasts, and digital outlets for instant updates.
For viewers who grew up watching red carpet coverage, backstage exclusives and awards-season interviews on afternoon television, the cancellation of Access Hollywood signals more than just the end of a show. It represents the closing of a chapter in how Hollywood stories were once told—daily, syndicated, and delivered straight into living rooms across America.
After nearly 30 years of celebrity news, premieres, and pop-culture moments, Access Hollywood leaves behind a legacy that helped define entertainment television for a generation.
