CBS to End The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026

CBS has announced it will officially end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026. The news came directly from Colbert himself during a taping on July 17, where he shared with the audience that the show would not continue beyond its current run.

“This is all just going away,” Colbert said, clarifying that he would not be replaced and that CBS is retiring the show entirely.

The network emphasized the decision is financial rather than performance-related. CBS cited rising production costs and broader shifts in late-night television as factors, especially as parent company Paramount Global works through a pending merger with Skydance Media.

The Late Show has been a late-night staple on CBS for over three decades. Colbert took over as host in 2015 following David Letterman’s retirement, bringing his political satire and unique humor to the time slot.

Colbert’s exit comes as many networks reassess late-night programming amid changing viewer habits and increased streaming competition.

For now, fans still have several more months of The Late Show before its scheduled finale in May 2026. CBS has not announced any new show to fill the time slot.

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