Stephen Colbert's final 'Late Show' 'Peanuts' stunt repercussions revealed

Nearly a month after Stephen Colbert joked during "The Late Show" finale that he hoped the band's unauthorized use of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" song "doesn't cost CBS any money," the financial ramifications for the network are being revealed.

Lee Mendelson Film Productions, Inc., which owns the catalog of the late jazz musician Vince Guaraldi, announced Tuesday, June 16, that it struck a licensing agreement with CBS for the track "Linus and Lucy's" inclusion in the May 21 "Late Show" episode.

The "humorous segment," in which Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine performed the theme song, required licensing the music from LMFP, the company said in a news release.

The company said it would donate proceeds from the CBS agreement to World Central Kitchen, following "The Late Show's lead after the show presented a $2.5 million donation to the charity’s founder, chef José Andrés.

USA TODAY has reached out to CBS for comment.

"LMFP found the music's use on The Late Show funny and entertaining, and is proud to support World Central Kitchen’s mission," LMFP chairman Jason Mendelson said in a statement. "A principal goal of our enforcement actions is to educate individuals, businesses, and government entities about the need to obtain written license agreements to use music in a commercial setting."

The gag happened as Colbert was discussing recent lawsuits filed by the copyright owners of the music from "Peanuts," on his show, which ended in May more than 30 years after David Letterman debuted the program.

"'Peanuts' is a powerful brand and corporation in and of itself. Anyone illegally using that music is going to have to pay through the nose," he said as the band played the music from the "Charlie Brown" franchise, before mock calling out his band leader. "Louis, Louis! Is the band right now playing the same 'Peanuts' music I just said people were being sued for, for using without permission? Is that what you're doing?"

Colbert joked, "Oh no, I hope this doesn't cost CBS any money!"

Contributing: Taijuan Moorman