After nearly three decades of captivating audiences, the iconic entertainment talk show, Access Hollywood, featuring Mario Lopez and Kit Hoover, is coming to a close.
NBCUniversal confirmed the decision to end Access Hollywood, along with several other programs, in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
Since its debut in September 1996, Access Hollywood has delivered the latest in entertainment news, with notable personalities like Billy Bush, Maria Menounos, and Natalie Morales contributing over the years.
As it approaches its 29th year, the series is slated to wrap up later this year. The show will continue its production through the summer before officially concluding.
Frances Berwick, Chairman of Bravo & Peacock unscripted at NBCUniversal, noted, “NBCUniversal is adjusting our first-run syndication strategy to better serve local stations’ programming interests.”
Berwick added that while the company is scaling back the production of original shows, it remains committed to distributing its existing program library and other off-network titles.
Access Hollywood, the legendary entertainment talk show starring hosts Mario Lopez and Kit Hoover, has been canceled after nearly 30 years
Since 1996, Access Hollywood had been providing entertainment news to the masses
‘These shows have provided audiences with great talk and entertainment content for many years and we’re very proud of the teams behind them.’
Access Hollywood currently stars four hosts – Lopez, Hoover, Scott Evans and Zuri Hall.
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Lopez, Hoover, Hall, and Evans for comment.
Access Hollywood isn’t the only show to make the chopping block.
In total, four shows have been canceled – Access Live, Karamo, and The Steve Wilkos Show.
Queer Eye alum Karamo Brown has been hosting his eponymous show since 2022 while The Steve Wilkos Show – which stars Jerry Springer’s former security guard – has been airing since 2007.
Both Karamo and The Steve Wilkos Show are produced at NBCUniversal’s Stamford Studios in Stamford, Connecticut, according to THR.
The building will be vacated by NBCU later this year.
Access Hollywood currently stars four hosts – Lopez, Hoover, Zuri Hall and Scott Evans
Hoover and Lopez hosting Access Daily back in 2019
The syndicated studio model is no longer considered sustainable by NBCUniversal, with local television studios now leaning towards local, national news, and ‘community-focused programming select national franchises,’ according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The cancellations also reflect the current climate of talk shows – programs that have been hit with higher costs, competition from different platforms, and dwindling demand.
NBCUniversal struck a more optimistic tone when it renewed Access Hollywood throughout 2026.
‘We’re thrilled to continue our successful partnership with the NBC-owned stations, bringing the ‘Access’ brand to local stations for additional seasons,’ Tracie Wilson, Executive Vice President, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios & E! New, said in a statement obtained by Deadline back in 2024.
‘Our talented hosts have incredible chemistry and our seasoned production team work tirelessly to bring viewers quality content each day on Access Hollywood and Access Daily.’
At the time, Deadline reported that the show had earned an average of 1.1 million viewers daily during it’s 2023-2024 season.
