Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' gets post-Super Bowl slot

"The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" has landed a big one -- the post-Super Bowl time slot next year, becoming the first late-night show to get this particularly coveted prize. 

An added, or symbolic, bonus: This will be the 50th telecast of the Super Bowl. The date is Feb. 7 at (about) 10 p.m.

A special "Late Late Show With James Corden" will follow local news.

There are a few ways to read this important gesture by the network, beginning with the obvious: "Late Show" and the new host are far and away the most significant programming changes on the CBS schedule of the year, and in a handful of years. 

Second, this is an affirmation by CBS that the new guy is working out, and even Dave Letterman never got this treatment. And indeed, both show and especially host have had some success (although as I reasoned in a column in Wednesday's Newsday, this still remains a work in progress, or at least some elements need work).  

Three, a little added exposure couldn't hurt either. The numbers are good, not spectacular. Colbert has held on to his fan base, but at this point, it is unclear whether he has added significantly to that. CBS -- in announcing this -- says "Late Show" is up 60 percent in the 18-49 demo versus last year. Impressive indeed, but that includes the strong launch week, and Thursday football lead-ins (which Dave's show also had). It ranks second place nationally, and in the November sweeps so far, is in third place here.