CBS cancels 'The Late Show,' Stephen Colbert to end program in May 2026

CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will be ending in 2026, the network announced.

"'THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT' will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season," CBS said in a statement Thursday. "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."

"I found out just last night, next year will be our last season," host Stephen Colbert told his studio audience. "The network will be ending ‘The Late Show’ in May."

Liberal "Late Show" host Stephen Colbert expressed his frustration to viewers following President-elect Trump's shocking victory.   (Screenshot/CBS)

"It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of the late show on CBS. I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away," Colbert continued.

CBS said it was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night," adding "It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount."

"The Late Show," which Colbert took over in 2015, leaned into liberal politics in the Trump era and had became a major platform for Democratic politicians. Last month, Colbert welcomed New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani before the socialist hopeful clinched the Democratic nomination. 

There had been speculation about the future of the Paramount-owned late-night programs, which also include "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central, as its planned corporate merger with Skydance Media is expected to take place later this year. 

This is a developing story.

Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.