CBS issued a statement saying the decision was “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” and claimed it was not related to the show’s content or performance.
Despite the network’s claims, the timing was notable: the announcement came just days after Colbert publicly criticized a nearly $16 million settlement between CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, and then-President Donald Trump over an edited “60 Minutes” interview. This has sparked questions of whether the cancellation may have been influenced by politics.
Colbert, in his announcement to the audience, said: “It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
The show had been the #1 late-night talk show on broadcast TV for nine consecutive seasons — yet CBS cited industry-wide pressures as the reason for ending it, including high production costs, declining ad revenue, and the shift of viewers to streaming and short-form content.
Colbert has already signalled that he may pursue new ventures beyond this show, including podcasts and other formats.
His recent monologues have become more pointed: On National Boss’s Day, Colbert used his stage to poke fun at CBS’s merger-era CEO (David Ellison) joking that flattery might “buy us a couple more months.”
Other late-night hosts and industry voices are reacting strongly: Jimmy Kimmel posted “F— you and all your Sheldons” in response to the cancellation (referencing CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory” character), and other peers are openly wondering what the future holds for the genre.
🎯 Why This Matters
This move signals the end of a late-night television era. The “Late Show” franchise, which began with David Letterman in 1993, has been a staple of American television. With its retirement, CBS appears to be moving away from the costly late-night talk show model.
It raises concerns about freedom of expression and corporate influence in late-night TV, especially given the timing of Colbert’s criticism and the settlement involvement. Some CBS staffers have questioned whether the reasoning was truly financial.
For viewers and fans of Colbert, this introduces a countdown. Every episode until May 2026 now carries extra weight — as part comedy show, part farewell tour.
From an industry perspective, the cancellation reflects changing viewer habits and the economics of linear TV. Younger audiences gravitate toward streaming, TikTok, YouTube. The traditional late-night format is under pressure.
Colbert’s next steps are under scrutiny. Will he move to a streaming platform? Start a podcast? Jump to another network? His evolution will be watched closely.
📺 What to Watch
How the remaining episodes play out: Will Colbert go out with a bang, featuring big guests, big moments, and a thematic “farewell arc”?
What CBS replaces the 11:35 p.m. ET slot with — or whether they leave it unfilled, signaling a move away from late-night altogether.
Whether Colbert’s next project will involve streaming, independent production, or a rebooted talk-format for a new age.
The broader ripple effects: How other late-night shows react, what networks do differently, and how late-night comedy evolves in this new media era.
