In Short:
– The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026 due to financial reasons.
– Colbert’s show will not be replaced, despite strong viewership and Emmy nominations.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will conclude in May 2026.CBS confirmed the cancellation is due to financial reasons, although Democratic Senator Adam Schiff suggested potential political motives behind the decision.

Future Plans

Colbert’s show will not have a replacement. CBS stated the cancellation stems from financial challenges in the late-night landscape, asserting it is unrelated to the show’s content or performance.

Reports indicate CBS’s parent, Paramount, is negotiating an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission. Recently, Paramount also settled a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump regarding a CBS interview with Kamala Harris.

In response to his show’s cancellation, Colbert expressed offence and critiqued the situation on air.

Despite the cancellation, Nielsen ratings show Colbert has maintained strong viewership with over 2.4 million viewers, and his show has been nominated for another Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show.