CBS announced Thursday that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026, marking the close of one of the most successful runs in late-night television. The network emphasized the decision was based solely on financial considerations and not a reflection of the show’s content or performance.
“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire this franchise at that time,” CBS said in a statement, citing a “challenging financial environment” for the late-night format. Colbert, who took over the show in 2015 after David Letterman’s retirement, informed the audience during Thursday’s taping.
“This isn’t just the end of our show,” Colbert said. “It’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. There won’t be a replacement. It’s all going away.” He praised CBS as “great partners” throughout his tenure.
Industry speculation surrounds the move, as Paramount Global—CBS’s parent company—prepares for acquisition by Skydance Media, led by CEO David Ellison. Both Colbert and fellow political satirist Jon Stewart have drawn criticism from supporters of President Donald Trump, who has previously clashed with CBS. The announcement also comes shortly after Paramount paid $16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by Trump over a 2024 interview with Kamala Harris.
