John Oliver isn’t leaving HBO anytime soon, but his latest contract comes with an unusual twist that has fans and industry watchers raising an eyebrow. Instead of another long-term commitment, the Emmy-winning host locked in just one additional year, breaking a pattern that had lasted for more than a decade.

John Oliver renews deal to return for Last Week Tonight, but for one year only

HBO has renewed Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, ensuring the satirical news program will remain on the air through the end of 2027. The new agreement gives Oliver another 12 months at the network, replacing the deal that expired this year. Unlike his previous contracts, however, this extension covers only a single year rather than the three-year renewals he has typically signed since the show’s 2014 debut (via Deadline).

The shorter deal has drawn attention because it arrives while the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount remains tied up in legal challenges. Although no official connection has been confirmed, the timing has fueled speculation that the ongoing uncertainty surrounding HBO’s parent company may have influenced the decision.

Oliver has never shied away from poking fun at the executives above him, often referring to them as his “Business Daddies.” After Paramount announced its planned acquisition earlier this year, he joked, “We might be getting a new business daddy,” before quipping, “Oh sht, I’m in Paramount now. How the fck do I get out of this?”

HBO executives have made it clear they wanted Oliver to stay. On this year’s Emmy nomination day, HBO chairman Casey Bloys said, “We are talking to John, and would love to have that continue.” The renewal became official after Oliver confirmed the extension during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

John Oliver has carved out an impressive career in late-night television, turning Last Week Tonight into one of the genre’s biggest success stories. Long before hosting his own show, he won over audiences with his standout work as a correspondent on The Daily Show. Since then, his mix of sharp political satire, deep-dive investigations, and quick-witted humor has earned widespread acclaim and a shelf full of Emmy Awards.