New Delhi, Aug. 17 -- Television veteran Conan O'Brien delivered a passionate defence of late-night talent at the Television Academy Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, as he acknowledged the rapid decline of the traditional TV landscape - while singling out The Late Show host Stephen Colbert as one of the medium's irreplaceable voices.

O'Brien reflected on what he called a "seismic change" in the world of television. "There's a lot of fear about the future of television, and rightfully so. The life we've all known for almost 80 years is undergoing seismic change," he told the audience.

O'Brien made no direct mention of the political turmoil but remained emphatic in his belief that Colbert's voice will not be silenced.

"Stephen is going...