CBS Cancels Stephen Colbert’s Late Show; Franchise Will End in 2026

Jorge L.
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CBS will end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026, closing out the long-running late-night franchise that began in 1993. The network says financial pressures—not ratings—drove the decision.

Colbert broke the news during the July 17 taping. He told the studio audience he had learned about the cancellation the night before. 

“The network has informed us this will be our last season,” Colbert said.

As the crowd booed, he confirmed that the show’s final season would continue through May 2026. He also made clear that CBS would not pass the hosting role to someone else. Instead, the entire Late Show brand will come to a close.

CBS emphasized that money, not content, guided the decision. A spokesperson described it as “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.” With more viewers shifting to YouTube and other online platforms, traditional late-night shows are drawing fewer ad dollars.

The timing, however, raised eyebrows. Just days before the announcement, Colbert had criticized Paramount, CBS’s parent company, for settling a 60 Minutes dispute with Donald Trump for $16 million. Afterward, lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Adam Schiff, questioned whether CBS canceled the show in response to Colbert’s remarks. Warren said the payment “looks like bribery” and demanded answers.

  • The Late Show launched in 1993 with David Letterman
  • Colbert has hosted since 2015
  • The show will end in May 2026, with no successor planned
  • CBS cited financial concerns, not show content
  • Several lawmakers suspect political motivations

Once the final episode airs, CBS will retire a major piece of late-night history. While the future remains uncertain for Colbert, the network’s decision signals a broader shift in how audiences engage with entertainment.

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