Stephen Colbert's stunt forces CBS payout: report

CBS must pay an undisclosed amount to Lee Mendelson Film Productions after Stephen Colbert intentionally played the "Linus and Lucy" theme from Peanuts during The Late Show finale.

The segment discussed the production company's strict copyright enforcement on the Vince Guaraldi Trio composition, reports The Daily Beast.

Colbert's "pre-planned gotcha" was deliberate rather than accidental, with the licensing agreement stipulating that CBS's payment goes to World Central Kitchen, Colbert's chosen charity.

Colbert accused Paramount of buying Trump's favor by paying $16 million to settle a "60 Minutes" lawsuit, all the while discussing an approval for its Skydance merger deal with the White House.

"Oh no! I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money!" Colbert joked.

Watch the video below.