Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” Tapes Headed to Streaming
Fans of vintage television rejoice! A treasure trove of classic Tonight Show episodes hosted by Johnny Carson is about to hit streaming platforms. This marks a significant expansion, offering viewers a chance to revisit iconic moments and performances from the late-night legend.
New Episodes Arriving Soon
A large collection of 50 episodes, unseen in decades, will stream next month. The episodes will become available on Johnny Carson TV, a free, ad-supported streaming (FAST) channel. This channel is operated by Shout! Studios. The addition of these episodes represents the largest update since 2021.
The initial launch will happen Saturday, July 5, with a marathon of new episodes. The episodes will also be available on-demand starting July 1 through the Shout! TV website and app.
Musical Performances Included
A standout feature of this release is the inclusion of musical performances. The rights to music have historically been difficult to secure. This time, the collection has approximately a half-dozen episodes with musical acts. Some musical guests include Jim Henson, Johnny Mathis, and Steve Martin.
“There’s just more of an understanding about what streaming is vs. broadcast or DVD, so that these days, it’s just a little bit easier for us to make those clearances for musical guests.”
—Matt Arsulich, Shout! Studios exec
This shift towards including musical performances highlights the evolving landscape of streaming rights. As of 2024, streaming services now command 34% of the TV viewership market, according to Nielsen data.
More Highlights
The episodes will feature many famous guests. The collection also includes appearances by Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd. Stand-up comedy legends, such as Jerry Seinfeld, will also be featured. In addition, a 1979 episode with Christopher Reeve is part of the collection.
The Carson Entertainment Group (CEG) curates the selection of episodes. This requires converting the original analog tapes to digital formats. The process also includes editing out any segments where music or film clips are not cleared.
Viewers can anticipate a wave of nostalgia and entertainment. The broader availability of these episodes further cements Johnny Carson’s legacy.