Stephen colbert at the montclair film festival. Stephen colbert in conversation with actress rachel weisz on her new movie, disobedience the event took place in buzz aldrin middle school, during the montclair film festival in montclair, nj.
Stephen Colbert At The Montclair Film Festival. Stephen Colbert in conversation with actress Rachel Weisz on her new movie, Disobedience The event took place in Buzz Aldrin middle school, during The Montclair Film Festival in Montclair, NJ.

‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ to end in May 2026 amid CBS cost cuts

by
July 18, 2025
Colbert’s exit will close the curtain on a decade-long run at the helm of the historic late-night franchise.

NEW YORK — The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will come to an end in May 2026, CBS confirmed, marking the conclusion of one of late night television’s longest-running franchises.

Colbert, who has hosted the program since 2015, announced the news in comments first reported by Deadline. “I’m not being replaced, this is all just going away,” he said.

CBS described the cancellation as “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” as the network grapples with rising production costs and shifting viewer habits.

Colbert took over The Late Show following the retirement of David Letterman, leading the program through a period of political turbulence and streaming disruption. The show has consistently ranked as one of the top-rated late night programs.

No replacement format or host has been announced. CBS said it would evaluate its late-night strategy closer to the end of the 2025-2026 broadcast season.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

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