CBS Announces Cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

In a significant development in the late-night television landscape, CBS confirmed on July 18, 2025, that it will conclude the run of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in May 2026. The announcement marks the end of a decade-long era for the program, which has been a prominent platform for political satire, particularly aimed at former President Donald Trump. This decision comes amidst a challenging financial landscape for traditional broadcasting and follows CBS's recent legal settlements regarding a controversial interview with Kamala Harris.

The decision to cancel "The Late Show" was officially announced by CBS executives, who emphasized that the cancellation was a financial decision unrelated to the show's ratings or content. According to a statement from George Cheeks, CBS's co-chief executive, and other top executives, “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.” The network cited the ongoing shift in viewer preference from traditional television to streaming platforms as a contributing factor to the show's declining audience.

The Late Show, which debuted in 1993 under the stewardship of David Letterman, has since evolved, with Colbert taking over the hosting duties in 2015. Under Colbert's leadership, the program became known for its incisive political commentary and comedic takes on current events. Colbert addressed his audience regarding the cancellation, sharing his own disappointment and expressing gratitude towards CBS executives and the show's staff, stating, “I wish somebody else was getting it, and it’s a job that I’m looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months.”

The late-night television landscape has experienced significant transformations in recent years, with audiences shifting to platforms such as streaming services. According to Nielsen data, during the second quarter of 2025, Fox News Channel's "Gutfeld!" emerged as the most-watched late-night program with an average viewership of 3 million, compared to "The Late Show" which garnered approximately 1.9 million viewers. This trend reflects the broader challenges facing traditional television networks amidst the rise of digital media consumption.

The cancellation of "The Late Show" follows CBS's earlier decision to terminate another late-night program, "After Midnight," which aired immediately after Colbert's show. The network’s decision has sparked discussions about the implications for late-night television, with political figures like Senator Adam Schiff questioning whether the cancellation was politically motivated. Schiff remarked on social media, “If Paramount and CBS ended The Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.”

As CBS prepares for the conclusion of this iconic program, the implications for its workforce and the future of late-night television remain uncertain. With the ongoing merger negotiations between Paramount and Skydance Media pending approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, the landscape of broadcast television continues to evolve, leaving many to wonder what the future holds for political satire in the late-night arena. The end of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" signals not only the conclusion of a popular television program but also reflects the shifting dynamics of viewer preferences in an increasingly digital world.