Colbert’s Late Show Axed by CBS in 2026
Network Cites Financial Pressures Amid Late-Night Shift
Stephen Colbert’s tenure at CBS’s “The Late Show” is set to conclude in May 2026, the host revealed to a live audience. This unexpected announcement follows recent public commentary by Colbert on corporate decisions impacting his network.
Host’s Criticism Precedes Cancellation News
The decision to end “The Late Show” came just two days after Colbert voiced his strong disapproval of Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, settling a legal dispute with former President Donald Trump. The settlement involved a “60 Minutes” story, which Colbert addressed in his monologue.
“I am offended. I don’t know if anything — anything — will repair my trust in this company. But, just taking a stab at it, I’d say $16 million would help.”
—Stephen Colbert
Colbert characterized the legal resolution as a “big fat bribe.” Paramount and CBS executives, however, stated the cancellation is solely a financial move driven by a challenging late-night landscape, asserting it’s unrelated to the show’s performance or content.
“The Late Show” Tops Ratings Despite Closure
Recent Nielsen data shows “The Late Show” leading its timeslot, drawing approximately 2.417 million viewers across 41 new episodes. The program has reportedly been the only late-night show to see viewership gains this year.
The show’s critical acclaim remains evident, having earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for outstanding talk show for the sixth time this week. It also received a Peabody Award in 2021.
Network Confirms Departure in Press Release
CBS confirmed the show’s conclusion through a press release issued Thursday, which included a link to Colbert‘s announcement video posted on Instagram. In the clip, Colbert shared the news directly with his audience, stating, “Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending the Late Show in May… it’s the end of the Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
Colbert‘s remark about a “bribe” reportedly ties into the pending acquisition of Paramount by Skydance Media, which requires approval from the Trump administration. Critics suggest the $16 million settlement was intended to facilitate this sale by removing a legal obstacle related to an interview with Kamala Harris.
This commentary followed a similar critique from Jon Stewart, host of “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central, also owned by Paramount, regarding the same settlement.
Legacy in Late-Night Television
Colbert took the helm of “The Late Show” in 2015, succeeding David Letterman. His rise to prominence in comedy and news satire began during his influential work with Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show.”
