Stephen Colbert has announced that his Late Night show will be ending next May, in a move that has shocked the TV industry.
Satirist Colbert has hosted the programme since 2015, when he took over from David Letterman. The Late Night franchise has been on air since 1993, but network CBS have announced that the franchise will be “retired” as of May next year.
In an official statement, the company said: “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television”.
Regarding the reasons for the closure, the statement continued: “This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount”.
Colbert himself confirmed the decision during the taping of Thursday’s (July 17) episode. “I want to let you know something I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending The Late Show in May” he said.
The announcement drew boos from the audience, to which the host replied: “Yeah! I share your feelings. It’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away”.
Despite CBS’ assertion that the cancellation was purely for “financial reasons”, some have speculated that the move may be politically motivated. Colbert has been one of TV’s sternest critics of US President Donald Trump, and criticised CBS’ parent company, Paramount, for settling a lawsuit with Donald Trump for $16million (£12million) over Trump’s claim that CBS News deceptively edited an interview with his 2024 election rival Kamala Harris.
The host went as far as to call it a “big fat bribe” on Monday’s (July 15) edition of the show. Paramount is currently in the process of a merger with studio Skydance, a move that would need to be approved by The Trump Administration. This led to politicians questioning the timing of the move.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren posted on X (formerly Twitter): “CBS cancelled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16m settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery. America deserves to know if his show was cancelled for political reasons”.
CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery.
America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.
Watch and share his message. pic.twitter.com/Rz7HcWFLYM
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 18, 2025
Aside from the controversy, many entertainment figures praised the outgoing host. Ben Stiller posted: “Sorry to hear @CBS is cancelling one of the best shows they have. Wishing all the people who work so hard on that show all the best”.
Sorry to hear @CBS is canceling one of the best shows they have.
Wishing all the people who work so hard on that show all the best.@colbertlateshow
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) July 18, 2025
Fellow late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel expressed support on an Instagram story, while also taking a jab at CBS. “Love you Stephen” he wrote, adding: “Fuck you and all your Sheldons CBS” (a reference to The Big Bang Theory franchise).
Statement from Jimmy Kimmel.
Jimmy and Stephen Colbert may be on competing networks but their friendship is genuine.
He has his back and so do we. #IStandWithStephenColbert pic.twitter.com/XGZguVSurs
— voteblue2024🗳️💙🇺🇸🇺🇦🇨🇦🇲🇽🟧🟦🌊 (@lflorepolitics) July 18, 2025
Colbert’s recent guests include Joaquin Phoenix, who apologised for a disastrous 2009 interview with the host’s predecessor David Letterman.
English (US) · 