Stephen Colbert Announces End of ‘The Late Show’ After 10 Seasons
After a decade shaping late-night TV, Stephen Colbert revealed that The Late Show will end in May 2026. The announcement came during a July 17, 2025 taping at the Ed Sullivan Theater in Los Angeles, shocking fans and sparking an emotional response.
Colbert Breaks the News to Fans
Before the episode began, Colbert shared the news directly: “Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending The Late Show in May.” The crowd responded with boos, which Colbert acknowledged. He clarified that CBS will not replace him; instead, the show itself will conclude.
He praised CBS as “great partners” and expressed deep gratitude to the 200 staff members who made the show possible. Colbert reflected on the privilege of hosting the show for the past 10 years and said he looks forward to working with the team through the final season.
A Legacy Following Letterman
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert premiered on September 8, 2015, following David Letterman’s retirement. Letterman had hosted the show for over 20 years, setting a high bar in late-night television.
CBS gave Colbert creative freedom to reshape the show, allowing him to shed his satirical Comedy Central persona and reveal “the real Stephen Colbert.” He quickly made politics a central theme, blending sharp monologues with celebrity interviews and musical performances.
Thanks to this unique mix, Colbert led late-night ratings for nine consecutive seasons, dominating in a crowded media landscape.
CBS Cites Financial Reasons
CBS issued a statement to People magazine, emphasizing that the decision to end the show was financial, not related to ratings or content. “This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” they said.
Colbert’s Continued Influence at CBS
Though The Late Show will end, Colbert remains active at CBS. In 2023, he became executive producer of After Midnight, a new late-night comedy game show hosted by Taylor Tomlinson. Inspired by Comedy Central’s @midnight, the show targets younger, online audiences.
Colbert’s involvement signals his ongoing role in shaping CBS’s late-night programming, even as his flagship show prepares to close.
