CBS announced that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will wrap up in May 2026. That’s right—after over a decade of late‑night laughs and sharp political jabs, this TV mainstay is hitting the brakes.
Colbert himself broke the news live at the Ed Sullivan Theater taping on July 17, 2025—literally finding out the night before and telling his audience, “I share your feelings,” when boos erupted. No replacement host, no reruns—just a full stop on this chapter.
CBS is calling this a purely financial decision. According to their official line, it isn’t about ratings or content—Colbert’s been consistently the top-rated late‑night host, delivering around 2.4 million viewers per night.
The issue? Late‑night shows are expensive—big staff, bands, sets—and the economics of TV have shifted enormously in the streaming era. CBS is tightening its belt.
Now, this financial story comes wrapped in a lot of guesswork. Right after Colbert called out Paramount Global—CBS’s parent company—for settling a $16 million defamation lawsuit with Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” segment, folks smelled trouble. Colbert joked on air that the payoff felt like a “big fat bribe” and said it hurt his trust in the company.
Just three days later, CBS drops the cancellation bomb. Politicians like Sen. Adam Schiff and Sen.
Elizabeth Warren even demanded transparency, wondering if this was politics wrapped in a financial excuse. CBS insists it’s not, but the timing is hard to ignore.
It’s no secret: broadcast television is in decline. More people are binge‑watching and streaming rather than tuning in nightly. Even networks like NBC and ABC are slimming down their late‑night programs.
CBS had already shuttered “After Midnight” earlier in 2025, and others are cutting bands and one-night slots.
The writing’s been on the wall for a while: late‑night TV isn’t turning a healthy profit like it used to.
From his 2015 debut, Colbert took over the Late Show mantle after David Letterman and didn’t just play it safe—he went full throttle into political satire.
Whether interviewing sitting politicians or jabbing at the powers that be, he brought a spirited, opinionated style that resonated, especially during the Trump years
The show earned top ratings, Emmy nods, and even a Peabody Award. It was more than late‑night fluff—it became part of the political and cultural dialogue.
Colbert said he’s grateful for the “200 idiots” on his team and that he’s looking forward to finishing strong through next May.
So, what’s next? No formal announcement yet—maybe a move to streaming, a podcast gig, or a new show.
His peers are rallying behind him. Even Jimmy Kimmel showed love, and Schiff and others are still demanding answers.
Colbert has consistently led late-night ratings for nine consecutive seasons Late-night is costly, and CBS isn’t alone in cutting back.
At the end of the day, it’s going to be a bittersweet end to a storied run. For ten years, Colbert wasn’t just a host—he was sharp-tongued, heartfelt, and unapologetically himself.
His exit marks the end of an era not just for Late Show, but for a certain brand of late-night brave humor.
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