In a stunning announcement that sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, CBS is ending “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” next year, potentially exiting the late-night television business altogether. The decision, announced on July 17, 2025, marks the end of an era for both Colbert and the network that has hosted late-night programming for decades.
The Official Reason: Financial Pressures
CBS announced July 17, calling it “purely a financial decision.” Despite being the top-rated late-night talk show, CBS has opted to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert after its upcoming eleventh season, stating financial reasons as first-run ratings continue to plunge.
This financial reasoning comes despite the show’s continued success in the ratings battle. Despite declining ratings for late night talk shows, The Late Show has been the #1 talk show in its hour for the last several years.
When Will Stephen Colbert’s Show End?
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026 after the upcoming broadcast season, according to the host and CBS. This gives fans roughly ten months to enjoy Colbert’s final episodes before the curtain falls on his nearly decade-long run as host.
How Stephen Colbert Announced the Cancellation
The announcement came in typical Colbert fashion – directly to his audience. While taping his Thursday show, host Stephen Colbert made the surprising announcement that CBS is ending his late night show in May. He added that he was “extraordinarily, deeply grateful to the 200 people who work here.”
The End of an Institution
CBS’s decision represents more than just the cancellation of one show. The network, which has aired “The Late Show” with Colbert as its host since 2015, said it is ending the franchise after a “historic run.” In a statement that underscores the finality of their decision, “We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘THE LATE SHOW’ franchise at that time,” CBS executives said in a joint statement.
The Broader Context: Late Night TV’s Decline
The cancellation of Colbert’s show reflects larger industry trends. Network late-night shows have been losing viewers for years, but “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is primed for what many see as an inevitable shift in how audiences consume entertainment content.
The maneuver — which ends years of original late-night programming at CBS that started with the legendary Ed Sullivan Show decades ago, signals CBS’s retreat from a format that once dominated television programming.
Political Implications
The timing of the cancellation has raised eyebrows, particularly given Colbert’s role as a prominent critic of political figures. CBS is canceling “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” next May, shuttering a decades-old TV institution in a changing media landscape and removing from air one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent and persistent late-night critics.
What Happens Next?
Monday night’s episode will be Stephen Colbert’s first since CBS announced the cancellation of “The Late Show” — a fact that will likely result in a ratings surge. Fans and industry observers are watching closely to see how Colbert addresses the cancellation and whether he’ll reveal more details about CBS’s decision-making process.
For now, viewers have until May 2026 to enjoy Stephen Colbert’s unique blend of political satire, celebrity interviews, and musical performances. The question remains: will another network pick up Colbert, or does this mark the end of his late-night television career?
Conclusion
The cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” represents a seismic shift in late-night television. While CBS cites financial reasons for the decision, the move eliminates one of television’s most influential political voices and signals the potential end of traditional late-night programming on the network. As the industry continues to evolve, Colbert’s departure marks the end of an era that began with his predecessor David Letterman and stretches back to the golden age of television.
With nearly a year left before the final episode, fans can only hope that Colbert will use his remaining time to deliver the sharp wit and insightful commentary that made “The Late Show” a cultural touchstone during one of the most politically turbulent periods in recent American history.