CBS Cancels Stephen Colbert Late Show Ending 2026 Season

CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will be canceled at the end of the 2025–2026 season, with CBS’s parent company Paramount Global citing financial reasons unrelated to the show's content or performance. The timing of the cancellation, just weeks after Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit with President Donald Trump, sparked speculation about political retaliation, especially since Colbert had publicly criticized the settlement as a "big, fat bribe." The announcement provoked strong emotional reactions from Colbert’s audience, some expressing disbelief and sadness, while Senator Elizabeth Warren and other Democrats suggested the cancellation might be politically motivated. CBS and Paramount have denied these claims, emphasizing the decision is purely business-related. Colbert expressed gratitude toward CBS and his audience during the announcement but lamented the show’s end, wishing someone else could take over. The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between political satire, media corporations, and the current administration.