CBS has announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026, marking the end of the long-running late-night franchise. The decision comes just days after Colbert criticized CBS parent company Paramount for settling a lawsuit with former President Donald Trump.
The network claims the cancellation is due to financial reasons, but many fans and politicians suspect it may be linked to Colbert’s outspoken criticism of Trump. The show is currently the highest-rated late-night program on broadcast TV, making the decision even more surprising.
Colbert Announces Show’s End During Live Taping
Stephen Colbert broke the news to his audience during a live taping on July 17, 2025. He revealed that CBS informed him the night before that the show would not continue after the 2025-2026 season.
“Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending the Late Show in May. 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.”
The audience reacted with loud boos, and Colbert admitted he shared their disappointment. He thanked CBS for the opportunity but made it clear the decision was not his.
CBS Calls It a Financial Decision
CBS executives released a joint statement insisting the cancellation was purely financial. They cited declining ad revenue and the challenges of late-night TV as the reasons.
“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount.”
Despite these claims, the timing has raised eyebrows. The announcement came just days after Colbert called Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Trump a “big fat bribe.” The settlement resolved a lawsuit Trump filed against CBS News over a 2024 interview with Kamala Harris.
Fans and Politicians Suspect Political Motives
Many fans and political figures believe the cancellation was influenced by Colbert’s criticism of Trump and the settlement. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Adam Schiff both questioned CBS’s motives publicly.
“CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump — a deal that looks like bribery. America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.” — Senator Elizabeth Warren
“If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.” — Senator Adam Schiff
Fans also took to social media to express their anger, calling CBS’s decision a “huge mistake.” Some pointed out that Colbert’s show has been the top-rated late-night program for years.
“Wow I pity CBS if they think canceling Colbert is a good idea. No longer a great network. This is a huge mistake.” — Fan reaction on X
“CBS one of the stupidest things I’ve seen a network do! Stephen Colbert is the BEST of late night TV! HUGE MISTAKE.” — Another fan comment
The Late Show’s Legacy and Ratings Success
The Late Show has been a staple of CBS since 1993, starting with David Letterman before Colbert took over in 2015. Under Colbert, the show became known for its sharp political satire, especially targeting Trump.
Despite industry-wide declines in late-night viewership, Colbert’s show remained dominant. It averaged 2.4 million viewers in recent months, beating competitors like Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The show also earned critical acclaim, including six Primetime Emmy nominations and a Peabody Award in 2021. Its cancellation means CBS will no longer have a late-night talk show for the first time in over 30 years.
Trump’s Reaction to the Cancellation
Former President Donald Trump, a frequent target of Colbert’s jokes, celebrated the news on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings.”
This further fueled speculation that the cancellation may have been influenced by political pressure.
What’s Next for Colbert and Late-Night TV?
Colbert will continue hosting The Late Show until May 2026. After that, CBS has no plans to replace him, effectively ending the franchise.
The decision reflects broader struggles in late-night TV, where traditional viewership is declining in favor of digital platforms like YouTube and TikTok. However, many believe CBS could have kept the show given its strong ratings.
Colbert has not announced his next move, but given his popularity, he may return with a new project on another platform.
Credits: Report compiled from verified sources including CBS, Reuters, The Guardian, BBC, and social media reactions.
