CBS Will End The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in 2026

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CBS has decided to terminate the Late Show franchise, which includes Stephen Colbert’s current version that has dominated Nielsen ratings for many years. This move affects not only Colbert’s segment but also the entire Late Show series, which started in 1993 with David Letterman at the helm. Colbert broke the news to his audience during Thursday night’s taping, revealing that he learned about this decision only last night and that it signifies the end of the franchise, not just his tenure. This unexpected announcement was met with disapproval from the crowd, who voiced their dissatisfaction with boos and noises of displeasure.

In simpler terms, CBS has made public that “Late Show” will conclude next May. The company aims to prevent rumors about their decision being influenced by Paramount Global’s potential acquisition by Skydance, or the process of gaining approval from Donald Trump’s FCC for this merger. They emphasized that the choice was strictly financial, made in a difficult late-night television climate, and not related to the show’s performance, content, or any other internal matters at Paramount.

As a dedicated TV viewer, I must admit that the landscape of network television, especially late-night programming, is indeed facing some serious challenges. However, it’s evident that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” maintains its supremacy in its time slot. In the recently concluded second quarter, Colbert drew an impressive 2.4 million viewers, surpassing ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (1.8 million) and doubling NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (1.2 million). The competition between Kimmel and Colbert is closer in the demographic ratings, with each show taking turns to lead throughout the year. However, CBS has never relied heavily on demo ratings for ad sales.

While Colbert reigns undisputed in late-night television, his dominion is over a significantly reduced realm. As recent as 2018, he was attracting almost 4 million viewers nightly. But the trend across linear TV is downward compared to 2018, and while shows like “NCIS” or “Matlock” can boost their viewership through streaming and have value in syndication, late-night shows primarily thrive on their linear numbers, with some additional revenue (and buzz) coming from social platforms such as YouTube.

Initially, it was widely expected that ABC or NBC would be the first to abandon the late-night show format, given the rumors about Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon retiring, or Lorne Michaels, the executive producer of Tonight, leaving. However, the fact that CBS, which has been doing exceptionally well compared to its network competitors, decided to cancel Colbert’s late-night show first came as a surprise to many. This is especially surprising since CBS produces more scripted dramas and comedies than any other broadcast or basic-cable network, and even recently introduced a new daytime soap opera, which is arguably a more challenging time slot than late night.

Due to the current situation, there’ll be extensive discussion in the near future about the factors influencing Cheeks’s decision amidst the approaching merger. The more conservative theories might center around the new administration’s goal to reduce expenses and prioritize profitable segments. However, more speculative discussions may attempt to connect the drive for Trump’s approval and Colbert’s long history of satirical criticisms against Trump. In fact, Oliver Darcy and Status recently forecasted today’s events, suggesting that should Colbert or his Paramount counterpart Jon Stewart be canceled, it could be presented as cost-cutting measures for struggling television, while simultaneously muffling two of Trump’s most vocal critics on air. While this isn’t definitive proof, it’s bound to ignite a wave of investigation and commentary. Regardless of the true reasons that surface, one thing is clear: Today marks a profoundly sad day for network television history.

Watch Colbert’s announcement:

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2025-07-18 04:54