CBS has officially confirmed the news that fans have been buzzing about: Has the Late Show with Stephen Colbert been cancelled? The answer is yes. After a remarkable ten-year run, the network has announced that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will end next year, with the final episode set for May 2026. This decision came as a major surprise to viewers and the entertainment industry alike, given Colbert’s continued popularity and the show’s strong ratings.
Why Has the Late Show With Stephen Colbert Been Cancelled?
On July 17, 2025, CBS released a statement declaring that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” would conclude at the end of the 2025-2026 broadcast season. The network clarified that this move is “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” stressing that it has nothing to do with the show’s performance, content, or matters at its parent company, Paramount.
Colbert addressed his audience directly, sharing, “Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending The Late Show in May… it’s the end of the Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away”.
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Key Points Summary
- CBS has cancelled “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”; the final episode will air in May 2026.
- The decision is attributed to financial challenges, not ratings or controversy.
- Stephen Colbert will not be replaced by another host; the entire Late Show franchise will retire.
- The announcement followed CBS’s $16 million settlement of a lawsuit with former President Donald Trump, but the network denies any connection between these events.
- “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is currently the only late-night show to have gained viewers in 2025, with an average of over 2.4 million tuning in per night.
Audience Reactions and Industry Impact
Fans were visibly disappointed after the announcement, with many expressing shock and frustration on social media. Audience members at the taping where Colbert broke the news responded with a long wave of boos. Colbert, who took over from David Letterman in 2015, expressed gratitude for his time at CBS, calling the experience unforgettable.
Industry experts note that this move could signal a larger shift away from traditional late-night programming as networks face increasing financial pressures. With Colbert considered “irreplaceable,” CBS has decided to retire the entire “Late Show” franchise, ending more than three decades of late-night tradition.
Has the Late Show With Stephen Colbert Been Cancelled Due to Ratings or Controversy?
Contrary to speculation, the show’s cancellation is not related to its ratings or recent controversies. Nielsen data confirms “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” remained the top performer in its time slot for 2025, being the only late-night program to show audience growth this year. Ratings averaged 2.417 million viewers across 41 recent episodes.
While the timing of the announcement follows CBS’s controversial $16 million settlement connected to a lawsuit from Donald Trump, both the network and Colbert have emphasized that the decision is strictly financial. Recent events, including rumors about the future of Paramount Global and a pending merger with Skydance Media, have also contributed to the climate of uncertainty, but CBS maintains that neither factor drove the cancellation.
Timeline at a Glance
| Milestone | Date/Season |
|---|---|
| Stephen Colbert becomes host | September 2015 |
| Announcement of cancellation | July 17, 2025 |
| Final broadcast scheduled | May 2026 |
What’s Next for Stephen Colbert and CBS?
CBS has confirmed that there will be no new host or replacement for “The Late Show.” The broadcast era for the iconic franchise will close entirely in May 2026 and no active search for another late-night star is underway. As for Colbert, he has not yet announced future projects, but his influence on American comedy and political commentary will likely continue in new forms.
Join the Conversation
The end of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” marks a historic turning point in late-night television. How do you feel about the cancellation? Share your thoughts below and stay tuned for updates as the story develops.