CBS has announced that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will wrap up in May 2026. This decision, described as purely financial, marks the end of a beloved franchise that has been a staple of late-night television.
Colbert shared the news during a recent taping. He addressed the audience, saying, “Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending ‘The Late Show’ in May.” The crowd reacted with a chorus of “No!” and boos, to which Colbert empathized, sharing their disappointment.
He expressed his gratitude toward CBS, calling it a great partnership. “I’m thankful for the Tiffany Network for giving me this chair,” he said. Colbert also took a moment to thank the crew and audience, emphasizing how meaningful the show has been to him over the past decade.
Colbert took the reins of “The Late Show” in 2015, succeeding David Letterman and following his success with “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central. Despite the show’s dominance in late-night ratings for nine consecutive seasons, CBS stated that this decision was not based on the show’s performance but rather economic challenges.
It’s interesting to note that the late-night scene is experiencing significant shifts. According to a recent report from the Pew Research Center, viewership for late-night shows peaked in 2016 and has since declined. This brings attention to the evolving landscape of late-night television, where younger audiences are turning to platforms like social media and streaming services for comedy content.
As Colbert prepares for the final season, he looks forward to sharing those moments with the crew and viewers. The show will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on its fans and the late-night genre as a whole.
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Stephen Colbert, CBS
