In the cutthroat world of network television, the decision to cancel a show is almost always made with a cold, calculated eye toward the bottom line. But in the case of Stephen Colbert’s abrupt departure from CBS, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the network may have made a colossal miscalculation—a mistake so profound that it could haunt them for years to come. In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through both Hollywood and Washington, Colbert is making a sensational return to television with a brand new show, and its instant, viral success is a direct, public indictment of CBS’s short-sightedness and a sign that the network is now watching its competition snatch away a golden goose.

The new project, tentatively titled “Unfiltered: Colbert & Crockett,” is a high-octane, primetime show that is a complete departure from the traditional late-night format. It is a bold and unconventional blend of sharp political satire, in-depth analysis, celebrity interviews, and cultural commentary, a creative mash-up that is unlike anything else on television. And what has everyone talking is Colbert’s surprising co-host: Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a rising political star known for her unfiltered, no-nonsense approach to politics. Their partnership is a wild and audacious experiment, one that has critics and fans alike buzzing with anticipation.

The speed and ferocity of the show’s success have been nothing short of staggering. A teaser for the new show, released just a few days ago, has already garnered an astonishing 10 million views in just 24 hours. The viral clip, which features the two hosts’ undeniable chemistry and their unflinching take on the political landscape, has proven that Colbert’s creative vision was a massive, untapped market. While CBS executives were reportedly looking for “younger, cheaper talent” and were preoccupied with internal financial matters, they failed to recognize that Colbert was sitting on a cultural and commercial goldmine. His “creative differences” with the network, which led to his sudden exit, were not a sign of a failing brand but of a star with a vision that was too big and too bold for a network that was more concerned with the status quo.

Now, that vision has become a dangerous new threat to CBS’s bottom line. According to insiders, a furious bidding war for the rights to the show has erupted among major streaming services, with executives from every corner of Hollywood vying for a piece of the action. The new format is a perfect fit for the streaming world, where the rules of network television don’t apply and where creative freedom is king. For Colbert, who was reportedly feeling creatively stifled at CBS, this is a chance to truly unleash his unique brand of political satire. For the streaming services, this is an opportunity to acquire a proven talent with an instant, built-in audience, a move that could shift the entire balance of power in the media landscape.

The irony of the situation is not lost on anyone. The show that CBS passed on is now poised to become a massive hit for one of its competitors. The network that reportedly wanted to move away from political content has now inadvertently created a brand new political satire juggernaut that is going to be a thorn in their side for years to come. In the end, Colbert’s departure wasn’t a problem; it was a promise. It was a promise of a new and better show, a promise of a more unfiltered and unvarnished kind of political commentary. And now, as CBS watches from the sidelines, it’s a promise that is about to be fulfilled, leaving them with nothing but the bitter taste of regret and a new, and very dangerous, competitor that they created themselves.