CBS is putting an end to ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ and it is needless to say that the decision has shocked viewers and the TV industry, especially because it is the highest-rated late-night program on American television. It has been one of the key programs of the network and a major part of its lineup for over three decades. Reports suggest that the network may also be stepping away from late-night shows altogether.
The timing of this decision has raised many eyebrows. It comes just two weeks after CBS’ parent company, Paramount, settled a lawsuit with US President Donald Trump. Colbert has often spoken strongly against Trump on air, which has led some to question if the end of the show is more than just a financial decision.
End of an era: What We Know So Far
Show ends in May 2026
The CBS network has said that the show will wrap up at the end of the 2025–2026 TV season. Colbert told his audience during a taping that he only learned about the decision the night before. He went on to strongly criticise the Paramount settlement, calling it a “big fat bribe.” He then joked that his new mustache would help him stay hidden from the company, saying, “Okay, okay, but how are they going to put pressure on Stephen Colbert… if they can’t find him?” The studio crowd reacted with surprise and disappointment.
CBS says it’s about money
CBS says that the decision was made because of financial challenges in the late-night TV space. They revealed that it had nothing to do with how well the show was doing, its content, or other events at Paramount.
Is Paramount really under financial stress?
According to CNN, Paramount recently laid off 3.5% of its workers. The company is also in talks to merge with Skydance Media. These money issues may have pushed the network to cut costs, including ending Colbert’s show.
Timing raises eyebrows
Some observers and political figures think the cancellation could be politically motivated. Colbert had recently made jokes on air about the Trump lawsuit settlement, calling it unfair and sarcastically suggesting he was hiding behind his new mustache to avoid corporate pressure.
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff took to X and wrote, “If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.”
Colbert thanks viewers as fans react with sadness
The show’s fans are obviously heartbroken by the news. Many took to social media to express their disappointment and called the decision “crazy”.
Though clearly upset, Colbert said he was thankful for his time at CBS. He praised the network for giving him the chance to host the show and thanked fans for their constant support over the years.
What happens next for Colbert remains uncertain. For now, viewers still have one more season to enjoy before the show signs off for good in 2026.
What happened with CBS’s other late-night shows?
CBS had already made changes to its late-night lineup before. In 2023, the network ended The Late Late Show with James Corden because as per the network it wasn’t profitable. After that, Stephen Colbert helped create a new show called After Midnight to take its place.
However, After Midnight also ended earlier this year. This time, CBS said the show stopped because the host, Taylor Tomlinson, didn’t want to continue for another season.
