Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Canceled; CBS to End Franchise in 2026
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026, CBS confirmed. The network also announced it will not continue the franchise, marking a major moment in late-night history.
Colbert shared the announcement during a July 17 taping. He told the audience that CBS had just delivered the news.
As people booed, Colbert told viewers, “The network has informed us this will be our last season.” As of now, no replacement is planned.
Meanwhile, CBS blamed financial pressure. The network explained that falling ad revenue and rising costs have made traditional late-night TV harder to sustain. “Purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” the network’s statement said.
Just days earlier, Colbert had publicly criticized a settlement between Paramount and Donald Trump. The $16 million payment resolved a dispute over a 60 Minutes interview. In response, some lawmakers raised concerns. For example, Senator Elizabeth Warren said it “looks like bribery” and asked if the show’s cancellation was connected.
- The franchise began in 1993 with David Letterman
- Colbert became the host in 2015
- CBS will end the show in May 2026
- Financial concerns were cited
- Lawmakers now seek more transparency
The end of The Late Show reflects deeper shifts in how people consume late-night content. CBS’s move may be one of several as networks adapt to a new media landscape.
More..
- https://www.wsj.com/business/media/cbs-to-end-late-show-in-may-concluding-decades-long-run-3c93a6b8
- https://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-colbert-late-show-canceled-politicians-react-2025-7
- https://ew.com/elizabeth-warren-questions-late-show-cancellation-after-trump-settlement-11774787
- https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/stephen-colbert-late-show-canceled
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