CBS Ends ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ May 2026

CBS announced that "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will end its run in May 2026, marking the retirement of the entire Late Show franchise. The decision, described by CBS as purely financial, is not related to the show's performance or content, with the network praising Colbert as irreplaceable and expressing pride in his tenure. Colbert revealed the news to his studio audience during a taping, expressing his own disappointment and noting that the show will simply cease rather than be replaced. This announcement came shortly after Colbert criticized CBS for settling a $16 million legal dispute with President Donald Trump, calling it a "big fat bribe." Despite the cancellation, Colbert assured his crew and fans that they will continue to produce a quality show for the remaining 10 months. The Late Show, which Colbert began hosting in 2015 after David Letterman's retirement, has remained a strong performer in its timeslot, even gaining viewers this year.