‘The Late Show’ to End After 2025-2026 Broadcast Season
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is coming to an end on CBS.
In a release sent by the network, it was announced that the show will end its run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. “We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television.”
“Our admiration, affection, and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonizing decision even more difficult. Stephen has taken CBS late night by storm with cutting-edge comedy, a must-watch monologue and interviews with leaders in entertainment, politics, news and newsmakers across all areas. The show has been #1 in late night for nine straight seasons; Stephen’s comedy resonates daily across digital and social media; and the broadcast is a staple of the nation’s zeitgeist,” read the statement.
The news was also broken by host Colbert, first to his studio audience, then via Instagram post shared on July 17.
According to the statement, the decision was purely financial decision and “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”
“Before we start the show, I want to let you know something that I found out just last night. Next year, will be our last season. The network will be ending The Late Show in May,” Colbert told to an astonished studio audience, who immediately began booing at the news. “Yeah. I shared your feelings.”
“It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away,” continued Colbert. “And I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners.”
During the heartfelt announcement, Colbert gave his thanks to the audience, his band, and his crew who worked by his side since 2015, when he took over hosting duties from David Letterman.
“I am deeply grateful to the 200 people who work here. We get to do this show for each other, every day, all day. And I get the pleasure and responsiblity of sharing what we do every day with you in front of this camera for the last 10 years. And let me tell you, it’s a fantastic job.”
View this post on Instagram
Prior to hosting The Late Show, Colbert was a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and the host of The Colbert Report, a spin-off of The Daily Show.
Though the statement released by CBS cited financial reasons for ending the program, people are speculating that other reasons might be the cause. The Late Show‘s latest guest, Senator Adam Schiff, took to X (formerly Twitter) for another take on the situation.
“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,” wrote the Senator.
“On the one hand: There *is* an economic rationale for this. Late night shows aren’t cheap (w/ giant talent salaries) and they don’t deliver traditional strong ratings anymore. Other hand: I don’t believe them. It’s not the money in this case,” wrote @MichaelSocolow.
“CBS is cancelling the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. This comes after the network caved to Donald Trump and settled a lawsuit,” wrote an account titled Protect Kamala Harris.
News of the late-night show’s cancellation follows Paramount’s agreement to a $16 million settlement with President Trump, who accused CBS’s 60 Minutes of deceptively editing a 2024 interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. No apology was issued, but as part of the deal, 60 Minutes must now release full transcripts of future candidate interviews.
Colbert ended his announcement with, “I wish someone else was getting it. And it’s a job I’m looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months.”
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Weeknights, 11:35/10:35c, CBS
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Comments are closed on this story.
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I think that he can not stay on TV in a country with no Democracy. NO controversial shows will be allowed. No controversial comments will be allowed. Jailed and hanging for those who do. Dictators do not allow it. Kiss Democracy goodbye as of Jan 22, 2025. But we knew that going in. It is all coming to pass faster and faster. We have go bags ready! Freedom is DEAD!
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It's late but there it is, the first confirmed case of TDS of the day. Find the red pill fast my friend.
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It might not become the Third Reich, but we're certainly headed down an authoritarian path. You can deny it all you want, but history is repeating itself.
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The network had Kamala tape different more cohesive answers than what she initially said. It happens in TV all the time for time constraints. They could've edited her original answer for time, but allowed Kamala to record a much different answer to allow her appear better than her usual "Word Salads" Apparently the FCC and the judges agreed. I hope the Democrats do get their act together because ever since the election the Democratic Party has been a train wreck. Now you have Hunter of ALL people saying that his father lost because people weren't loyal to his Dad. Joe and/or Kamala would have lost because the majority of the people didn't buy what they were selling. From the Border, to Inflation, to well having Joe not functioning and people caught on they were being deceived and lied to by the Media about it. Watch all news and President Trump is on TV talking to reporters and with Leaders of Nations including the most recent with the head of NATO. CCN, MSNBC, MSM seldom has any news about the good things that are occurring. You mention "Authoritarian" path. What do call it when 80% of the media cover up and lie to the American people about Joe's unfortunate physical and mental decline. I felt like I was living in Russia and our news is like PRAVDA - news being captive to only one party, the Democratic Party. I'm tired of the talk of Donald being the end of Democracy. Open your eyes and realize the Democratic Party made a mockery of democracy and is the real threat.
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Bye bye
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The Democrats kissed Democracy and their primaries goodbye in 2024. Fortunately the boogeyman you fear lives behind your mirror.
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Whether you are right, left or in between, it is a sad day for our country when politicians can determine what our citizens can watch on TV, listen to on the radio or read. This isn’t the first effort to control what is available to the public, just ask those that run PBS or NPR. Colbert’s show was the number one rated show in its time slot for nine of the ten years it has been on the air. If you think the settlement between CBS and the President had nothing to do with this decision, you are choosing to fool yourself. CBS and Skydance caved so they could get their merger approved. The cancelation of one of the sharpest critics of the President certainly was required for getting the wheels greased for approval of the merger. The ability to freely criticize our government and the politicians is key to a free society. However, it now appears you either agree with those in power or you will be declared the enemy and you will jeopardize your livelihood and citizenship. Kinda sounds like a third world country.
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😥 But it’s perfectly OK that the over whelming majority of these shows on MSM including the so called “ news” are Constantly attacking President Trump. That’s just wonderful. But when he defends himself that’s Horrible. Gotcha. 🙄
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Well, yeah, if that were the least bit true. The show cost $100 million a year to produce, and loses $40 million. (But sure, it's all about Trump.)
If it were really about Trump, they could replace the host. But they're shutting the whole thing down!
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Not sure I’ll be watching CBS at all now. The Late Show was the only reason I watched CBS at all after they also cancelled Blue Bloods. I hope CBS starts to lose ratings by cancelling good shows. Will stick with NBC who seem to know what good shows are.
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The only question would be why did you watch CBS in the first place?
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She just told you. Pay attention.
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Nothing to stop Stephen from going ball to the wall against Trump now.
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He’s been doing it all along. Not a popular move
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Maybe not popular with the network, but certainly popular with viewers.
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He happens to host the show with the most late night viewers. Must have been doing something right!
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More hate and lies will do nothing to expand your echo chamber.
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Finally. Politicians and political views do not belong on late night television.
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Stupid CBS/Paramount
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This is So sad………… that it will run all the way to May of next year go ahead and cancel it now. 🤣🤣
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He is not #1 in late night. Gutfeld has been beating him pretty regularly. And the guy isn't funny. If he were funny, he wouldn't have to lean into politics so much. Libs watch that crap because he makes the feel validated in their TDS.
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Time to take the show to HBO. It has worked really well for Bill Maher
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At least Seth Meyers and "SNL" will continue to lampoon Trump after Colbert signs off for good. I'm looking forward for the next 10 months when he continues to make fun of the current president and his constant Epsteingate (yeah, I said it) problems!
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Colbert hits trumpty-dumpty pretty hard now, as it is... he may go even tougher now. 😆
Who knows, maybe Colbert will end up teaming with Jon Stewart, Trevor Noah, and others on some project or other.
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Riddance.
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Here is a detailed view of the Democrat Party’s plans and agenda for America: We Hate Trump, We Hate Trump, We Hate Trump, We Hate Trump. And our greatest priority for our country is We Hate Trump. We did have to amend Chapter 6, Page 145, Paragraph 8 to read: We Hate Trump.
Sorry Dems you’re Hate doesn’t cut it anymore. Americans want realistic plans and goals to make our country a better place to live and with continuity. The Truth is the Democrat Party has Nothing but Hate to offer. Their leadership (actually they don’t really have leadership) is in a shambles. The DNC is bankrupt and begging for a loan. The in fighting in the Democrat Party is By Far worse than the GOP and that’s saying Allot. And ALL they have to offer is TDS, Hate, and Bitterness. All this is clearly reflected in the Very Left Leaning TV programming, they can’t go 5 minutes without going into a tangent about President Trump !! Heck even some Democrats are sick of it !! The vast majority of Americans want to see a realistic Plan and Agenda from Democrats to better the lives of Americans, Not the very tired and very stale We Hate Trump. Not only did Donald Trump win the election he’s living in the collective minds of Democrats rent free !! They Never offer plans of their own, just Their perception of His policy failures which a Very large number of Americans don’t agree with them on, and Yep you got it, We Hate Trump. I bet the MSM didn't show the Huge Success his Tariffs had for June !!
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GOOD! All of the late night shows are so left leaning, I can't stand to watch any of them.. I Miss Johnny Carson!!
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Why are you afraid of hearing other views?? Just because you don't agree with what they say doesn't mean they shouldn't be on the air. Guess you're not patriotic, since you're arguing against ideas highlighted in the Constitution.
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So if @angel is not in full lockstep agreement with all those left leaning shows that makes her or him less patriotic and against the Constitution. Oh I didn't know that. Hey America you Have to Agree with all these left leaning TV shows or you’re less patriotic and against the Constitution !! Just a little public service announcement to help out. Hope allot of Americans read it as we didn’t know we Have To Agree with left leaning shows.
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No, the unpatriotic part is saying that shows they "can't stand to watch" shouldn't be on the air. There's a LOT of TV that I think is crap or stupid, but I never, ever even suggest that they shouldn't be on the air. If I think a show is crap, I simply don't watch it. I respect the rights of others to watch whatever crap they want to watch.
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Oh the hypocrisy, DNC loyalists fear free speech like Vampires fear light.
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Used to be good but TDS got him and the audience left... What TV is watched by loony left that could stomach him is on free streams.. Youtube ads can't pay his salary...
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For the clowns who think this is all about Trump...
--if that were true, why is the entire show being cancelled, rather than simply replacing the idiot host?
--why are they waiting a year to end the show instead of doing it now?
Regardless, it's clear that they can't sell hate as easily as they used to,
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Can't be gone soon enough
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