CBS has announced it will end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026—and will retire the entire Late Show franchise after nearly three decades on the air.
The decision was made public Thursday through statements from both CBS and Stephen Colbert, who informed his studio audience during that night’s taping.
End of an Era
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season,” CBS said in a statement.
“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.”
Colbert has hosted the show since 2015, succeeding David Letterman. The show has been one of the most-watched late-night programs throughout much of his tenure.
Why Is CBS Cancelling The Late Show?
According to CBS, the cancellation is driven entirely by financial concerns.
“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” the network said. “It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount.”
However, the decision has stirred speculation. Senator Adam Schiff, who has been a guest on Colbert’s show, questioned the motive in a post on X:
“If Paramount and CBS ended The Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.”
The announcement also follows CBS’s recent legal settlement with President Donald Trump, a frequent target of Colbert’s sharp commentary—raising further questions among viewers and critics.
Colbert’s Response
Stephen Colbert addressed the news directly with his studio audience on Thursday night.
“Before we start the show, I want to let you know something I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending The Late Show in May.”
Met with audible disappointment from the crowd, Colbert continued:
“It’s not just the end of our show, it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
He concluded by thanking CBS and his viewers:
“I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners. I’m so grateful to the Tiffany Network for giving me this chair and this beautiful theater to call home. And of course, I’m grateful to you, the audience, who have joined us every night.”
