In a surprising turn of events, CBS revealed that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will conclude in May 2026, ending over 30 years of late-night programming on the network.
The End of an Era: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to Conclude in 2026
The End of an Era: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to Conclude in 2026
CBS announces the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, marking a significant change in late-night television.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026, as confirmed by CBS in a statement that emphasized the decision was strictly financial and unrelated to the show's performance. Host Stephen Colbert revealed the news during a taping, leading to a disappointed reaction from the audience. “I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners,” Colbert expressed, thanking his audience for their loyalty. This cancellation marks the first time since 1993 that CBS will be without a late-night comedy talk show.
Colbert, who took over from David Letterman in 2015, has been a prominent critic of former President Trump and has engaged with a variety of political figures throughout his tenure. The timing of the announcement follows a recent settlement agreement between CBS's parent company, Paramount, and Trump regarding a lawsuit linked to a previous interview that raised concerns about deceptive editing.
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff speculated about the motivations behind the cancellation, suggesting it could be politically motivated due to the financial implications stemming from the settlement. Throughout his run, Colbert has also showcased discussions with various Democratic politicians and highlighted issues relevant to a younger audience.
CBS acknowledged Colbert’s irreplaceable contribution and decided to retire the franchise entirely. Meanwhile, other networks like NBC and ABC remain committed to their late-night hosts, with Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon securing their shows well into the future. This shift in CBS's programming further underscores the challenges traditional networks face in keeping younger audiences engaged amid fierce competition from streaming services and alternative content platforms.
Colbert, who took over from David Letterman in 2015, has been a prominent critic of former President Trump and has engaged with a variety of political figures throughout his tenure. The timing of the announcement follows a recent settlement agreement between CBS's parent company, Paramount, and Trump regarding a lawsuit linked to a previous interview that raised concerns about deceptive editing.
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff speculated about the motivations behind the cancellation, suggesting it could be politically motivated due to the financial implications stemming from the settlement. Throughout his run, Colbert has also showcased discussions with various Democratic politicians and highlighted issues relevant to a younger audience.
CBS acknowledged Colbert’s irreplaceable contribution and decided to retire the franchise entirely. Meanwhile, other networks like NBC and ABC remain committed to their late-night hosts, with Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon securing their shows well into the future. This shift in CBS's programming further underscores the challenges traditional networks face in keeping younger audiences engaged amid fierce competition from streaming services and alternative content platforms.
