CBS Cancels Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show After 2025-2026 Season

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will officially conclude in May 2026.

“Before we kick off tonight’s show, I want to share something I discovered just last night,” host Stephen Colbert, 61, revealed during the taping on Thursday, July 17, which was posted on Instagram. “Next year marks our final season, as CBS will be wrapping up The Late Show in May.”

As the audience responded with loud boos, Colbert added, “I echo your sentiments. This isn’t merely the end of our show; it signifies the closure of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not getting replaced. This all is coming to a close. I want to extend my gratitude to everyone at CBS, who have been fantastic partners … and I appreciate you, the audience, who have been with us every night, here, out there, and globally.”

Colbert expressed his thanks to his band and the 200 crew members who have supported him. “We have the privilege of doing this show for each other every day,” he stated, expressing a wish that “someone else” might take over after he leaves.

The Late Show debuted in 1993, marking David Letterman’s transition from NBC, where he hosted Late Night With David Letterman, to CBS. Letterman, 78, departed from the show in April 2015, and Colbert has been at the helm for the past decade.

Co-CEO of Paramount Global and President and CEO of CBS George Cheeks, along with President of CBS Entertainment Amy Reisenbach and President of CBS Studios David Staph, addressed the cancellations in a statement on Thursday.

“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will conclude its historic journey in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. We regard Stephen Colbert as irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time,” the statement declared. “We take pride that Stephen has called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered among the greats of late-night television.”

The announcement clarified that the decision was strictly a “financial” one and is not “connected in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters occurring at Paramount.”

The statement continued, “Our admiration, affection, and respect for Stephen Colbert and his remarkable team made this challenging decision even harder. Stephen has dominated CBS late night with innovative comedy, an unmissable monologue, and interviews with influential figures in entertainment, politics, news, and various fields. The show has held the #1 spot in late night for nine consecutive seasons; Stephen’s comedic work resonates daily across digital and social platforms; and the broadcast remains a fixture in the nation’s zeitgeist. The achievements of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert are both memorable and significant in terms of performance, quality, and stature. We look forward to honoring Stephen and celebrating the show over the next 10 months with its millions of fans and viewers.”