In a surprise move, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is ending in May 2026. Colbert took over The Late Show in 2015 after David Letterman, who launched the show in 1993. Before that, Colbert hosted “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central.
George Cheeks, Co-CEO Paramount Global and President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS, Amy Reisenbach, President, CBS Entertainment and David Stapf, President, CBS Studios in a statement: “’The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘The Late Show’ franchise at that time. 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. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.”
CBS’ statement noted that the show has been No. 1 in late night for nine straight seasons, and added: “Our admiration, affection, and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonizing decision even more difficult. With much gratitude, we look forward to honoring Stephen and celebrating the show over the next 10 months alongside its millions of fans and viewers.”
Colbert also announced the news at the taping of Thursday’s show, stating he had found out about the show’s cancellation the previous night. Colbert shared his statement in a video posted to Instagram: “The network will be ending ‘The Late Show’ in May,” said Colbert. As the audience booed, Colbert agreed, “Yeah, I share your feelings. It’s not just the end of our show but it’s the end of ‘The Late Show’ on CBS. I am not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
In the clip, Colbert thanked CBS for being “great partners,” as well as the audience and his band: “It is a fantastic job, I wish somebody else was getting it. It’s a job that I’m looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for the next 10 months.”
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. EDT on CBS.
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