Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ is canceled by CBS and will end May 2026

CBS has announced the cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, with its final episode scheduled for May 2026. The network cited financial reasons for the decision, stating it is not related to the show's content or performance. This announcement follows Colbert's public criticism of a settlement between Donald Trump and Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, which led two U.S. senators to question the motives behind the cancellation. Colbert, who took over The Late Show in 2015, has been a prominent late-night critic of former President Trump. Despite the cancellation, recent ratings show Colbert gaining viewers and winning his timeslot among broadcasters. The show has also received critical acclaim, including an Emmy nomination and a Peabody Award. The decision has drawn reactions from other late-night hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon, as well as from figures like Jamie Lee Curtis and industry analysts who suggest the cancellation might be an attempt to silence criticism or a misguided business decision in a challenging media landscape. Late-night television has been facing economic pressures, including declining ratings and ad revenue, with younger viewers increasingly consuming content online. CBS also recently canceled another late-night program, After Midnight.