CBS Cancels “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” After Decade-Long Run

CBS has just dropped a bombshell: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is set to end in May 2026. After nearly 1,700 episodes over more than a decade, Colbert delivered the news himself on-air, clarifying that this isn’t a host transition—the entire Late Show franchise is being shut down. CBS and its parent company say it’s strictly a financial decision tied to the changing economics of late-night television.

But the timing has stirred controversy. Just days after Colbert criticized Paramount’s multi-million dollar settlement involving Donald Trump, CBS announced the show’s cancellation. Lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, are now questioning whether political pressure influenced the move. Colbert pointed to these concerns during his most recent taping.

Despite being the top-rated broadcast late-night show for years, The Late Show was not immune to industry shifts. With platforms like YouTube and TikTok changing how audiences consume content—and a massive media merger looming—CBS appears to be cutting costs wherever it can.

As spring 2026 approaches, fans are left wondering: was Colbert canceled because of money, politics, or both? Regardless, the end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert marks the close of a defining era in late-night television.