CBS has announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will come to an end in May 2026, marking the close of one of America’s most enduring late-night programs after more than 30 years on air.
In a statement, the network described the move as “purely a financial decision in a challenging late-night landscape,” emphasizing that it was not related to the show’s ratings, content, or any external controversy.
Colbert, who has hosted the show since 2015, broke the news during a taping on Thursday at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. The audience responded with audible disappointment and boos.
“I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners,” Colbert said. “And of course, I’m grateful to you, the audience, who have joined us every night — in here, out there, all around the world.”
He revealed that he had only been informed of the network’s decision the night before, adding during his monologue, “Yeah, I share your feeling,” as chants of “no” echoed through the crowd.
“It’s not just the end of our show, but the end of The Late Show on CBS,” Colbert said. “I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away. It is a fantastic job. I wish somebody else was getting it.”
The announcement means CBS will be left without a late-night talk show for the first time since 1993. The Late Show originally launched that year with David Letterman, following his high-profile exit from NBC after losing out to Jay Leno for the Tonight Show seat. Letterman’s move to CBS helped shape the modern late-night landscape.
Colbert took over from Letterman in 2015 after rising to prominence with Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, a satirical take on conservative media. During his time at CBS, Colbert became known as one of the fiercest critics of former President Donald Trump in late-night television.
The show’s cancellation comes shortly after CBS parent company Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit filed by Trump. The case stemmed from a 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign. Paramount said the settlement funds would go toward Trump’s future presidential library and not to him personally.
While CBS has denied any link between the lawsuit and the show’s cancellation, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who appeared on Colbert’s show shortly before the announcement, questioned the timing.
“If Paramount and CBS ended The Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know,” Schiff posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Colbert recently hosted Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, a candidate in the New York City mayoral race, continuing his tradition of spotlighting progressive voices.
In its official statement, CBS praised Colbert’s legacy:
“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered among the greats of late-night television.”
The end of The Late Show marks a significant shift in the late-night TV landscape, as networks face rising costs, shifting viewer habits, and increasing political scrutiny.
