CBS Agrees Peanuts Music Deal After Colbert's Farewell Broadcast

Tom Reid

CBS has reached a licensing agreement with Lee Mendelson Film Productions for the unauthorised use of Vince Guaraldi's 'Linus and Lucy' on Stephen Colbert's final Late Show. The proceeds from the undisclosed settlement will be donated to the disaster-relief charity World Central Kitchen.

Stephen Colbert played 'Linus and Lucy' on his final Late Show, a song from the Peanuts soundtrack.
Lee Mendelson Film Productions, which manages the Peanuts music catalogue, secured a licensing agreement with CBS for the unauthorised use.
The undisclosed proceeds from the agreement will be donated to World Central Kitchen, a charity supported by Colbert.
The production company aims to educate about the necessity of obtaining licences for commercial music use.

Celebrate the harmony! CBS has struck a licensing deal with Lee Mendelson Film Productions (LMFP) to settle the unauthorized use of iconic Peanuts tunes during Stephen Colbert's swan song as host of The Late Show. A live performance of Vince Guaraldi's jazzy masterpiece 'Linus and Lucy' brought the house down – and, it seems, a hefty price tag for the network.

The show-stopping moment came when Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine tore into the tune, prompting Colbert to quip with a cheeky grin: 'Oh no! I hope this doesn't cost CBS any money!' Fans of the programme couldn't help but read between the lines – was the jest a veiled swipe at CBS's decision to can The Late Show? It now appears that Colbert's parting shot did indeed land on the network's balance sheet.

LMFP, custodians of Guaraldi's Peanuts music legacy, have been cracking down on unlicensed use and it seems their efforts have paid off. Chairman Jason Mendelson says the company was 'amused' by the music's inclusion in The Late Show and has agreed to a licensing deal with CBS – though the exact sum remains under wraps. The cherry on top? All proceeds will be donated to World Central Kitchen, José Andrés' non-profit feeding the world's most vulnerable communities.

This philanthropic flourish is a nod to Colbert's own generosity: he gifted £2 million (approximately $2.5 million) to the organisation just days before stepping down from The Late Show. Mendelson stressed that LMFP's mission is not only about protecting their catalogue but also about educating entities on the importance of securing written licence agreements for commercial music use.

LMFP has taken a firm stance against unlicensed use, with recent cases including an apparel manufacturer, a video game producer, and even the US Department of the Interior – all facing lawsuits for using Guaraldi's music without permission. Founded by producer Lee Mendelson, who collaborated with Charles Schulz, Bill Melendez, and Vince Guaraldi on those beloved animated specials, LMFP is dedicated to preserving the Peanuts legacy.

Why this matters: This story highlights the growing importance of music licensing in the entertainment industry and the legal repercussions for unauthorised use, even in seemingly light-hearted contexts. It also showcases how such settlements can be directed towards significant charitable causes.

What this means for you: What this means for you: While this specific incident occurred in the US, it underscores the universal importance of intellectual property rights, including music licensing, which affects how content is produced and distributed globally, including in the UK. This could influence future programming decisions on streaming platforms available to UK audiences.

CBS Agrees Peanuts Music Deal After Colbert's Farewell Broadcast

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