(Photo: Scott Kowalchyk ©2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the entire Late Show franchise is coming to an end at the end of the upcoming season. Stephen Colbert announced the news during Thursday’s broadcast of the late-night series.
CBS released the following statement about ending the long-running series:
“”‘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. 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.
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.
Our admiration, affection, and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonizing decision even more difficult. Stephen has taken CBS late night by storm with cutting-edge comedy, a must-watch monologue and interviews with leaders in entertainment, politics, news and newsmakers across all areas. The show has been #1 in late night for nine straight seasons; Stephen’s comedy resonates daily across digital and social media; and the broadcast is a staple of the nation’s zeitgeist.
The accomplishments of ‘THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT’ are memorable and significant in performance, quality and stature. 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.”
According to Deadline, fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel responded to the news on his Instagram account. He said, “Love you Stephen. F*ck you and all your Sheldons CBS.”
Check out Colbert’s video below.
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What do you think? Do you watch this CBS late-night series? Are you sad that the Late Show franchise is coming to a close?
Get a popcast, I will subscribe and join. Sad, that your cancelled. I have watch your show for years.
Good riddance to bad garbage. Colbert is an over paid idiot and the show went from being a good late night comedy show to a political show.
THey cqn say all they want that it was financial reson, yes 19mil they paid off potus. SAD day for the network.
This was clearly tied to the network needing Trump to sign off on their deal.
But, I would say watch this apace because once the deal is done, I could see this being reversed.
Colbert didn’t seem phased at all, so may know something we don’t.