Stephen Colbert's 'The Late Show' to end May 2026
Share and Follow


“The Late Show” began in the early 90s with David Letterman as the host.

NEW YORK — “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will no longer exist after May, according to an announcement made on social media Thursday. 

“Next year will be our last season. Network will be ending the late show in May,” Colbert said into the camera from behind his late night talk show host desk. 

He was met with boos from the live audience attending the taping of Thursday night’s show.

“I share your feelings,” Colbert said while laughing. “It’s not just the end of ‘The Late Show,’ but its the end of a late show on CBS. I’m not being replaced, this is all just going away.” 

Variety reports the decision was made due to finances. 

“’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,” said George Cheeks, Co-CEO Paramount Global and President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS, Amy Reisenbach, President, CBS Entertainment and David Stapf, President, CBS Studios in a statement to DEADLINE. 

The announcement came two days after Colbert spoke out against CBS Global settling with President Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” story.

“I am offended,” Colbert said in his monologue Monday night. “I don’t know if anything — anything — will repair my trust in this company. But, just taking a stab at it, I’d say $16 million would help.”

He said the technical name in legal circles for the deal was “big fat bribe.”

Adam Schiff, who was Thursday night’s guest on the show, made a social media post after finding out the news. 

“If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better,” he wrote. 

Colbert continued in his statement to thank CBS for the time he has had on the show, the set, the band, the employees working on the show and the fans for watching. 

“I’ve had the pleasure and responsibility of sharing what we do every day with you for the last ten years and let me tell you, its a fantastic job, I wish someone else was getting it,” he said. “It’s a job I’m looking forward to doing with this gang of idiots for the next ten months. It’s gonna be fun, are y’all ready?”

“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is in its 10th season and began nearly a decade ago, celebrating it’s 10-year anniversary in September. “The Late Show” began in the early 90s with David Letterman as the host.

The late night talk show brings on an “eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more,” according to CBS’ description. 

The show has won the Peabody Award and has been nominated for an Emmy. Its episodes are filmed in the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. 

The most recent ratings from Nielsen show Colbert as winning his timeslot, with about 2.417 million viewers across 41 new episodes. It also said his late night show was the only one to gain viewers so far this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Respected judge is accused of STALKING a female attorney

Prominent Judge Faces Allegations of Stalking Female Attorney

A prominent and long-serving family court judge in Nevada has made headlines…
Vance heads to Minneapolis and says 'far left' should stop resisting immigration enforcement

Vance Challenges Minneapolis: Calls for End to ‘Far Left’ Resistance on Immigration Enforcement

In Toledo, Ohio, Vice President JD Vance on Thursday attributed the chaos…
Woman 'euthanized against her will by burned-out carer husband'

Tragic Case of Coerced Euthanasia: Burned-Out Caregiver Husband Under Investigation

An elderly woman was euthanized just hours after her husband claimed she…
Treadmill recall expands to include about 47,000 units

Urgent Treadmill Recall Alert: Over 47,000 Units Affected – Check If Yours is on the List!

Johnson Health Tech North America has broadened its voluntary recall of Matrix…
2026 Oscars nominations: See the full list of nominees for the 98th annual Academy Awards

Unveiling 2026 Oscars Nominees: Discover the Stars and Films Vying for Glory at the 98th Academy Awards

Los Angeles is buzzing with excitement as nomination day for the 2026…
Border czar rips Virginia's new governor after she blocked ICE

Virginia’s New Governor Faces Sharp Criticism from Border Czar Over ICE Policy Blockade

Tom Homan, well-known as the Border Czar, recently criticized Virginia’s newly elected…
Judge orders Altoona cop to court as Mangione hopes to have backpack search tossed

Altoona Officer Summoned to Court: Legal Battle Over Backpack Search Intensifies

An Altoona, Pennsylvania police officer is expected to appear in court today…
Downtown Investment Authority votes to demolish old MOSH building

Downtown Transformation: Investment Authority Greenlights Demolition of Historic MOSH Building for Future Development

In a move that signifies both change and progress, Jacksonville’s Southbank is…