Jon Stewart Stays on The Daily Show Through 2028: How to Watch on DIRECTV
Jon Stewart isn't going anywhere. On Monday, October 19, 2026, Skydance Television announced that Stewart will keep hosting Comedy Central's The Daily Show every Monday and remain an executive producer through December 2028, which carries him through the next presidential election. The show's news team will keep sharing hosting duties Tuesday through Thursday.
On DIRECTV, The Daily Show airs on Comedy Central, channel 249, at 11 p.m. ET/PT, and episodes stream the next day on Paramount+. Here's what the new deal covers and how to watch Stewart's Monday nights and the rest of the week, as of October 20, 2026.
The Daily Show on DIRECTV at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Network | Comedy Central |
| DIRECTV channel | 249 (HD); the West feed is 249-1 |
| Airtime | 11 p.m. ET/PT, Monday through Thursday |
| Jon Stewart hosts | Mondays |
| Tuesday to Thursday hosts | The Daily Show news team, in rotation |
| Streaming | Paramount+, the day after each episode airs |
| Stewart's new deal runs through | December 2028 |
| DIRECTV packages with Comedy Central | ENTERTAINMENT and higher, or the MyEntertainment Genre Pack |
What's in Jon Stewart's new Daily Show deal
The extension adds two years. Stewart's previous contract was set to run out at the end of 2026, after a one-year renewal he signed in November 2025. CNN reported that this is his longest extension since he returned to the show, following two one-year renewals in a row.
Nothing changes about the format. Stewart keeps the Monday night chair, an arrangement that's been in place since he came back in February 2024. The rest of the week rotates among the news team: Ronny Chieng, Josh Johnson, Jordan Klepper, Michael Kosta and Desi Lydic, with Troy Iwata and Grace Kuhlenschmidt as correspondents. Stewart also stays on as an executive producer alongside showrunner Jen Flanz and his longtime manager, James "Baby Doll" Dixon.
"Jon Stewart is a generational talent and The Daily Show continues to be one of the most influential franchises on television and a cornerstone of Comedy Central," said George Cheeks, co-chair and chief content officer of Skydance TV, in the announcement.
Jon Stewart and The Daily Show: a quick timeline
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1999 | Stewart makes his debut as host of The Daily Show |
| 2015 | Stewart leaves the anchor desk and Trevor Noah takes over |
| 2022 | Noah steps down, and the show moves to rotating hosts |
| February 2024 | Stewart returns as the Monday host and an executive producer |
| November 2025 | Stewart signs a one-year renewal running through 2026 |
| October 19, 2026 | Skydance Television announces a two-year extension through December 2028 |
The new end date lines up with the 2028 presidential election, which means Stewart's Monday shows will cover the full campaign. CNN and USA Today both noted that the deal keeps him in the host's chair through the November 2028 vote.
How The Daily Show is doing
The renewal comes off a strong year. According to the network, The Daily Show won two Emmys in 2026, posted its best third-quarter viewing among all viewers since 2018, and passed 1.9 billion views on its social channels, ranking as the most-viewed cable program across social media this year. Those figures come from the network's own announcement, citing Nielsen and social media measurement.
What channel is The Daily Show on DIRECTV?
The Daily Show airs on Comedy Central, channel 249. DIRECTV also lists a West Coast feed of Comedy Central on 249-1, which follows the Pacific time schedule. Our Comedy Central on DIRECTV guide has the channel details.
Comedy Central is in DIRECTV's ENTERTAINMENT package and every bigger package, on both satellite and streaming. It's also part of the MyEntertainment Genre Pack, a smaller entertainment lineup that lists 60+ channels for $42.99 a month plus tax and includes Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic, HBO Max Basic with Ads and AMC+ with Ads. Our DIRECTV Genre Packs guide compares every pack, and our DIRECTV package channel comparison lines up the main packages.
How to watch The Daily Show live, recorded or streaming
- Live on TV: Tune to channel 249 at 11 p.m. ET/PT Monday through Thursday.
- DIRECTV app: Watch Comedy Central live on a phone, tablet, laptop or smart TV when it's in your package.
- DVR: Search "The Daily Show" and set a series recording for new episodes only, so reruns don't fill up your DVR.
- Paramount+: New episodes arrive on Paramount+ the next day. Paramount+ is a separate subscription. Our guide to Paramount+ plans and ads compares the tiers.
If you only want Stewart's episodes, Monday night is the one to catch live or record. A DIRECTV Gemini device lets you switch between live Comedy Central and the Paramount+ app without changing inputs.
Catching Stewart's Monday episodes during football season
Monday is the one night Stewart hosts, and it's also the night ESPN carries Monday Night Football. Games that kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET often run close to or past 11 p.m. ET, right when The Daily Show starts on Comedy Central. A series recording handles the overlap. Watch the game live, then play back Monday's Daily Show when the game ends, or catch it on Paramount+ the next day.
DIRECTV also carries Comedy Central's West Coast feed on channel 249-1, which runs on Pacific time, so The Daily Show airs there at 11 p.m. PT. If you're in the East and miss the first airing, that later feed gives you another chance to catch it live. Check your guide for the exact listing, since late-night schedules can shift around live events and holidays, and the show sometimes takes weeks off for breaks.
What the Skydance merger means for Comedy Central viewers
Comedy Central now sits inside Skydance, the company formed after Paramount Skydance completed its purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery this month. That puts it under the same roof as CBS, CNN, TNT, TBS, HBO, HBO Max and Paramount+. CNN described the Stewart extension as one of the first major programming announcements from the enlarged company.
For DIRECTV customers, the Stewart deal doesn't change anything about how you watch. Comedy Central stays on channel 249, and The Daily Show keeps its 11 p.m. slot. Our guide to what the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger means for TV customers covers the bigger picture, including the planned combination of HBO Max and Paramount+, which still has no announced name, price or launch date.
Frequently asked questions
How long will Jon Stewart host The Daily Show?
Under the deal announced October 19, 2026, Jon Stewart will host The Daily Show every Monday and serve as an executive producer through December 2028.
What channel is The Daily Show on DIRECTV?
The Daily Show airs on Comedy Central, DIRECTV channel 249. DIRECTV lists Comedy Central's West Coast feed on channel 249-1.
What time is The Daily Show on?
The Daily Show airs at 11 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central, Monday through Thursday. Jon Stewart hosts Mondays, and the news team shares hosting Tuesday through Thursday.
Which DIRECTV packages include Comedy Central?
Comedy Central is included in DIRECTV's ENTERTAINMENT package and higher packages, and in the MyEntertainment Genre Pack.
Can I stream The Daily Show?
Yes. You can watch Comedy Central live in the DIRECTV app when it's in your package, and new episodes stream on Paramount+ the day after they air.
Want Comedy Central and the rest of your favorite channels in one package? Call 1-855-690-9884 to compare DIRECTV packages at your address.
Channel lineups and availability can change. Check your local DIRECTV guide.