Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' canceled by CBS, ends May 2026
The End of an Era: Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' to Conclude in May 2026 In a move that has sent ripples through the entertainment industry, CBS announced on Thursday, July 17, 2025, that "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will conclude its run in May 2026. This decision marks the end of an impressive 11-year tenure for Colbert and signals CBS's complete exit from the traditional late-night talk show format. The news was personally delivered by Stephen Colbert himself during a taping of his show at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. A visibly surprised audience reacted with boos and groans, to which Colbert responded, "Yeah, I share your feelings." He confirmed that he is not being replaced, and that "The Late Show" franchise, which began with David Letterman in 1993, will be retired by the network. CBS and its parent company, Paramount, have cited "purely financial reasons" for the cancellation, emphasizing that the de...