John Oliver signs one-year HBO deal through 2027

Comedian John Oliver has signed a one-year contract extension to continue hosting HBO's "Last Week Tonight" through the end of 2027, a departure from his previous multi-year deals that reflects the uncertainty surrounding a proposed corporate merger. The show's future has been clouded by the pending $110 billion acquisition of HBO's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, by Paramount Global, a deal that was recently paused by a federal judge.

Oliver confirmed the extension, which will carry the show into at least its 14th season, in an interview published on July 31. He described his approach to the ongoing corporate maneuvering as one of "total denial," stating that the only way to move forward is to continue as if the potential merger is not happening. The host, who has frequently criticized his corporate superiors on air, referred to them as his "business daddies" and expressed concern about the prospect of reporting to a new one.

The proposed merger, which Paramount's Skydance Media pursued after outbidding Netflix for Warner Bros. Discovery earlier this year, has faced legal challenges. A federal judge halted the deal last month following an antitrust lawsuit filed by a...