CBS Cancels Stephen Colbert’s Late Show; Franchise to End in May 2026

Jorge L.
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CBS plans to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026, bringing the decades-long franchise to a full stop. The decision, according to the network, is tied to financial constraints.

Stephen Colbert announced the news during the July 17, 2025, taping. He told the audience he had just learned about the cancellation. 

Colbert said on-air, “The network has informed us this will be our last season.”

The crowd reacted with boos, and Colbert confirmed this would be the last season. He added that CBS does not plan to hand off the show to another host, officially closing the chapter on The Late Show.

In its statement, CBS cited rising costs and declining revenue across late-night programming. A representative called it “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.” As viewers move toward digital platforms, traditional shows face pressure to remain profitable.

The cancellation came soon after Colbert publicly criticized a $16 million settlement between Paramount and Donald Trump over a past 60 Minutes segment. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff have since questioned whether the timing was coincidental. Warren described the settlement as looking like “bribery.”

  • David Letterman launched The Late Show in 1993
  • Colbert took over in 2015
  • Final episode expected in May 2026
  • CBS points to financial issues, not show content
  • Political questions are now part of the conversation

By ending The Late Show, CBS signals a major shift in late-night TV. The future of the format remains unclear as audiences change how they watch.

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