USA CBS Drops Bombshell: Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' to End in 2026

[webfact]

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Stephen Colbert's reign over late-night TV is set to conclude as CBS announces it will end "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in May 2026. This unexpected news comes as a shockwave across the entertainment world, leaving fans reeling. CBS cites financial reasons, dismissing any link to recent high-profile events.

 

Despite being a ratings powerhouse, Colbert's "Late Show" is wrapping up amid a storm of speculation. The news follows CBS parent company Paramount's settlement with Donald Trump and its impending merger with Skydance Media. Colbert, a vocal Trump critic, addressed the situation with his characteristic humour, but it raised many eyebrows.

 

CBS insists the move isn't related to the show's performance or content, but rather a financial decision. Paramount recently reduced its workforce by 3.5%, highlighting the economic strain. Yet, many fans and observers find it hard to separate from the political undertones permeating the network's recent decisions.

 

Colbert shared the startling news during a taping, expressing his surprise at the decision. "Next year will be our last season," he confirmed to the dismayed audience. Speculation about political motives surfaced immediately, with figures like Democratic Senator Adam Schiff urging transparency if politics played a role.

 

Colbert's impact on late-night television is undeniable. Since taking over from David Letterman in 2015, he has become a beloved figure. The "Late Show" franchise itself has been a CBS staple for over thirty years, making this decision even more significant.

 

Reactions poured in on social media, highlighting the profound connection people feel with Colbert and his show. Despite the disappointment, Colbert expressed gratitude to CBS and his loyal audience for their support throughout the years.

 

CBS's decision follows the end of James Corden's "Late Late Show" in 2023, marking a notable shift in the network's late-night lineup. The future of late-night TV on CBS remains uncertain as industry figures like Jon Stewart remain silent.

 

As the intricate web of media politics, finance, and artistry unfolds, it becomes evident that the landscape of late-night television is undergoing significant transformation. Whether political or purely financial, CBS's decision to end "The Late Show" signals the end of an era in television history.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-07-18

 

 

[DonniePeverley]

I keep seeing all over social media loads of controversy about him lately. Seems a lot of hate directed towards him.

 

What's happened ?

[JAG]

One down; Jon Stewart, Trevor Noah, Ronnie Cheng, Desi Lydic (corr!), Jordan Klepper next.

 

Jimmy Kimmel has gone for good family reasons, but you can bet he will not be able to return.

 

 

[novacova]

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

I keep seeing all over social media loads of controversy about him lately. Seems a lot of hate directed towards him.

 

What's happened ?

Possibly psychological damage due to the current US president.

[Emdog]

Paramount (owner of CBS etc) caved to Trump admin over some 60 minutes story, coughed up pile of money and some unknown agreements, maybe PSAs for Trump charities etc rather than fight in court.. So much for freedom of speech defending. Why did Paramount cave? Big sales deal coming up in near future & Trump's goons might nix the deal.

Colbert called out Paramount for their cowardice and failure to defend freedom of the press. Colbert is highest rated late night TV... some rumor about difficulty selling ads... did CBS try to reason? No. He heard about it just about same time as public.

Anyway, that's what I've heard/read so far.... 

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Paramount (owner of CBS etc) caved to Trump admin over some 60 minutes story, coughed up pile of money and some unknown agreements, maybe PSAs for Trump charities etc rather than fight in court.. So much for freedom of speech defending. Why did Paramount cave? Big sales deal coming up in near future & Trump's goons might nix the deal.

Colbert called out Paramount for their cowardice and failure to defend freedom of the press. Colbert is highest rated late night TV... some rumor about difficulty selling ads... did CBS try to reason? No. He heard about it just about same time as public.

Anyway, that's what I've heard/read so far.... 

Maybe freedom of the press doesn't mean editing out Harris' totally inarticulate response with a more rehearsed articulate version during the Presidential campaign interview on 60 minutes.

[Emdog]

5 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Maybe freedom of the press doesn't mean editing out Harris' totally inarticulate response with a more rehearsed articulate version during the Presidential campaign interview on 60 minutes.

If press were required to always provide truth, it would be the end of Fox and all of those far right Alex Jones type.

I didn't see the interview, but if CBS wanted to edit the piece, they could do that. It is their right. And your response is to not watch 60 minutes. Trump has no standing for a law suit anyway. Many times interviews are edited. 

And you think Harris is inarticulate? Take a look at Trump's babbling about "longest serving MIT prof" genius meeting up with/teaching unibomber and all that insanity... so full of holes and outright fabrications.

Or go back: Should Obama sue Trump over his long running essentially baseless lie about Obama not being born in USA? Hundreds of smears, lies from DJT. No make that thousands

[dinsdale]

7 minutes ago, Emdog said:

I didn't see the interview, but if CBS wanted to edit the piece, they could do that. It is their right.

 

[Tug]

37 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Paramount (owner of CBS etc) caved to Trump admin over some 60 minutes story, coughed up pile of money and some unknown agreements, maybe PSAs for Trump charities etc rather than fight in court.. So much for freedom of speech defending. Why did Paramount cave? Big sales deal coming up in near future & Trump's goons might nix the deal.

Colbert called out Paramount for their cowardice and failure to defend freedom of the press. Colbert is highest rated late night TV... some rumor about difficulty selling ads... did CBS try to reason? No. He heard about it just about same time as public.

Anyway, that's what I've heard/read so far.... 

bingo another blow to freedom of speech.

[KhaoHom]

No ratings, no advertising.

 

Monotonous, boring, preachy, condescending

[dinsdale]

5 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

No ratings, no advertising.

 

Monotonous, boring, preachy, condescending

Hope you don't mind me adding to your above post.

No ratings, no advertising, monotonous, boring, preachy, condescending, radical woke left propaganda.

[Chomper Higgot]

14 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

No ratings, no advertising.

 

Monotonous, boring, preachy, condescending

This isn’t about you.

[Chris.C]

It’s because of his criticism of Israel. This is not allowed in the USA

https://www.facebook.com/reel/747352271141091

[sqwakvfr]

Why this is bombshell? All late night shows come to an end.  If ratings are down then CBS/Parramount has to make a business decision. It's not like he was in the same league as Carson, Letterman, Leno and even Conan O'Brien.  I really miss these guys. At least Conan O'Brien has some Youtube content that I sometimes catch.  

[Chris.C]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Whether political or purely financial, CBS's decision to end "The Late Show" signals the end of an era in television

Purely political, 

Shari Redstone owns CBS. She is Jewish. Her father created Harvard Law School Jewish law fund.

 

[impulse]

38 minutes ago, Tug said:

bingo another blow to freedom of speech.

 

 So you celebrated when Fox paid Dominion over $700 million for making claims, many of which were later proven true, yet you lament when Colbert gets taken off the air?

 

Basically because he's gone off the rails and sucks nowadays.  Which is sad.  I used to like Cobert before he got the syndrome.

[Jingthing]

8 minutes ago, ChristineC said:

Purely political, 

Shari Redstone owns CBS. She is Jewish. Her father created Harvard Law School Jewish law fund.

 

So what?

The vast majority of American Jews have big objections with Israel's actions in Gaza and Trump going along with it.

[Jingthing]

18 minutes ago, ChristineC said:

It’s because of his criticism of Israel. This is not allowed in the USA

https://www.facebook.com/reel/747352271141091

I call B.S.

[Chris.C]

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I call B.S.

Head in sand?
 

Read these.

 

https://objectivejournalism.org/2023/11/us-journalists-censorship-supporting-palestine/?ut

 

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/feb/04/cnn-staff-pro-israel-bias?utm_source=chatgpt.com

[Jingthing]

I've been a big fan of Colbert over the years starting with his parody show before Late Night. For years I saw his Late Night as a must watch but over time I.watch it much less. It does have great ratings though so in that sense the cancellation is very surprising news. A while back Bill Maher of Real Time which is still must see tv for me revealed he is not a fan of Colbert. Why? He said because he's a totally predictable voice of the liberal establishment. Hard to disagree with that.

[Jingthing]

Just now, ChristineC said:

Head in sand?
 

Read these.

 

https://objectivejournalism.org/2023/11/us-journalists-censorship-supporting-palestine/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/feb/04/cnn-staff-pro-israel-bias?utm_source=chatgpt.com

I don’t believe for one second that Colbert was canceled because of his views about Israel.

[StayinThailand2much]

4 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

I keep seeing all over social media loads of controversy about him lately. Seems a lot of hate directed towards him.

 

What's happened ?

 

Yes, one may not agree with his political views, but his show is highly entertaining and hilarious, using intelligent instead of dumb humour. Also, great and interesting interviews with guests of the show.

 

Shame on Paramount and CBS to cancel the show, even though, IMHO, he went too far complaining about his employers' actions. (I watched, thinking: 'Are you sure you want to name and shame them like this?')

 

Still, a lame excuse to cancel such a great established show due to 'financial decisions'. Wonder, what cr** they will show instead...

[FlorC]

24 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

Why this is bombshell? All late night shows come to an end.  If ratings are down then CBS/Parramount has to make a business decision. It's not like he was in the same league as Carson, Letterman, Leno and even Conan O'Brien.  I really miss these guys. At least Conan O'Brien has some Youtube content that I sometimes catch.  

Late night died with Leno stopping. Jay's garage was good though.

Conan too boring and a bit center-left.

 

I don't know if any of these lefty creeps are still out there like

Kimmel, Fallon , Seth Meyers . Luckily Colbert is nearly out.

A blow for the lefty narative.

And a blow for all the lefty holliwood "stars" .

Guess they have to use only X or tiktok or instagram.

[Chris.C]

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I don’t believe for one second that Colbert was canceled because of his views about Israel.

I do,

Do you believe other journalists have been cancelled for criticizing Israel?
https://objectivejournalism.org/2023/11/us-journalists-censorship-supporting-palestine/?ut

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, ChristineC said:

I do,

Do you believe other journalists have been cancelled for criticizing Israel?
https://objectivejournalism.org/2023/11/us-journalists-censorship-supporting-palestine/?ut

You see everything through your narrow tunnel vision. Real life is not that black.and white.

[Jingthing]

9 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Late night died with Leno stopping. Jay's garage was good though.

Conan too boring and a bit center-left.

 

I don't know if any of these lefty creeps are still out there like

Kimmel, Fallon , Seth Meyers . Luckily Colbert is nearly out.

A blow for the lefty narative.

And a blow for all the lefty holliwood "stars" .

Guess they have to use only X or tiktok or instagram.

There's always youtube. 

[HappyExpat57]

50 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Hope you don't mind me adding to your above post.

No ratings, no advertising, monotonous, boring, preachy, condescending, radical woke left propaganda.

You should not lie about things that are so easily fact-checked:

 

The most recent ratings from Nielsen show that Colbert is winning his time slot, with about 2.417 million viewers across 41 new episodes. It also said his late-night show was the only one to gain viewers so far this year.

[bubblegum]

The right does not like late shows. It's full of humour and they do not seem to understand fun/laughter.

[HappyExpat57]

After hearing him call out the heads of CBS so vehemently for caving in, I knew it was just a matter of time. 

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Hope you don't mind me adding to your above post.

No ratings, no advertising, monotonous, boring, preachy, condescending, radical woke left propaganda.

 

Not to mention totally unfunny.

 

Go Woke Go Broke. 

 

See ya Stephen.