CBS to Cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2026
In a surprising and emotional announcement, CBS has confirmed plans to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2026, bringing an end to one of late-night television’s most iconic programs. The network cited mounting financial challenges as the main reason for the decision, signaling its exit from the competitive world of late-night TV — a major shift for one of America’s most enduring broadcasters.
Colbert’s Exit: A Sudden Goodbye to Late-Night’s Top Performer
Despite consistently being the most-watched late-night talk show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will not return after the 2025–2026 season. CBS emphasized in its official statement that the cancellation was “purely a financial decision” and had nothing to do with show performance or the controversial political content that has defined Colbert’s voice.
“It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount,” the network said in its statement.
Colbert addressed the news himself during a taping of the show on Thursday evening, revealing that he had only learned of CBS’s decision the night before.
“Next year will be our last season,” Colbert said to a stunned live audience. “The network will be ending our show in May. It’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. This is all just going away.”
Fans online were quick to express disappointment. On the show’s official Instagram account, one top comment read: “This is crazy.”
The Business Behind the Curtain: CBS Faces Tough Times
Colbert’s departure isn’t about ratings — it’s about money. CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, are under intense financial pressure. In June 2025 alone, Paramount laid off 3.5% of its staff.
Industry insiders say that advertising revenue for The Late Show has dropped significantly, making the program unprofitable. This financial hit comes during an ongoing merger between Paramount and Skydance Media, further complicating the company’s media strategy.
CBS’s Late-Night Retreat:
- The Late Late Show with James Corden was canceled in 2023
- After Midnight, a lower-budget replacement produced by Colbert, ended earlier this year
- CBS says Taylor Tomlinson declined to continue hosting After Midnight
More background on this transition is available in a report by Variety.
Political Heat: Trump’s Influence and Industry Speculation
The timing of the cancellation has raised eyebrows across the political and entertainment landscape. Just two weeks before the announcement, Paramount settled a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump against CBS News. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.
Stephen Colbert has been one of Trump’s most outspoken critics on television. His sharp political satire and monologues helped boost The Late Show to its highest ratings during and after Trump’s first presidential term.
During Monday’s show, Colbert made a tongue-in-cheek comment about the settlement, calling it a “big fat bribe” and joking that his mustache was now his protection from corporate pressure.
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who appeared as a guest on the night of the cancellation announcement, wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“Just finished taping with Stephen Colbert who announced his show was cancelled. If Paramount and CBS ended The Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.”
A Legacy That Redefined Late-Night
The Late Show has been a staple of American late-night programming for over three decades. Launched by David Letterman in 1993 after he departed from NBC, the show became famous for its “Top Ten” lists and quirky sketches like “Stupid Human Tricks.”
Stephen Colbert took the reins in 2015 and brought his signature wit and political edge from his years on The Colbert Report and The Daily Show (both on Comedy Central, a Paramount network). His ascension to network television marked a turning point for CBS’s late-night strategy, especially during the Trump era.
During Trump’s first and second terms, Colbert used his platform to critique the administration, often drawing headlines and viral clips.
What’s Next for Colbert—and Late Night?
So far, Colbert has not announced plans beyond the show’s final season. However, his long-time friend and collaborator Jon Stewart may also be affected. Stewart currently hosts a weekly edition of The Daily Show and has appeared frequently alongside Colbert. There’s concern in the industry about whether the shakeup could affect his role at Comedy Central.
CNN has reached out to representatives for Stewart and former Late Show host David Letterman for comment.
In a heartfelt moment on Thursday’s taping, Colbert said:
“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 in here, out there, all around the world.”
Final Thoughts: The End of an Era
The end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is more than just a programming change — it’s a cultural milestone. It marks CBS’s full departure from the late-night stage, following decades of influence and innovation.
As author Bill Carter, who chronicled the history of late-night television, told CNN:
“The financial side of that business has definitely been under pressure. But if CBS believes it can escape without some serious questions about capitulating to Trump, they are seriously deluded.”
With the end date now public, Colbert’s final season will surely be watched closely, not just for laughs, but for legacy.
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