CBS cancels Stephen Colbert's Late Show, fans express anger and disappointment

A still of Late Show with Stephen Colbert. (Photo: CBS)

The legendary Late Show series will come to an end after CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air its final episode in May 2026, following an incredible 10-season run.

The network made it clear that the action was just a cost-cutting strategy in light of the larger issues facing late-night programming and had nothing to do with content or ratings.

In a moving moment that was caught on camera, Colbert told the studio audience: "Our final season will be next year. In May, the Late Show will be discontinued by the network."

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Stephen eloquently responded to the jeers that greeted the announcement: "Yes, I feel the same way you do. Not only is our show coming to an end, but The Late Show on CBS is also ending. No one is going to replace me. All of this is simply disappearing."

"THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season," the company said in a statement. It further read: "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."

The show's economic reality of high production costs and lower ad revenue made it unsustainable, even though it maintained a steady viewership of between 2.4 and 2.5 million viewers per episode and often won its late-night slot.

These financial strains were mentioned by CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, along with a potential drive for efficiency prior to a significant merger with Skydance Media.

Backlash against this decision

Devoted fan base has called out CBS decision to discontinue the show. Some took to social media and criticized CBS for excluding one of late-night's top performers, calling the choice a "huge mistake."

The timing came after Colbert publicly criticised Paramount's $16 million settlement over a controversial '60 Minutes' interview, leading lawmakers, including Senators Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren, to wonder if political motivations were involved.

I can’t imagine why The Late Show With Stephen Colbert was cancelled pic.twitter.com/LaTf77t0zN

— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) July 17, 2025

CBS canceling The Late Show With Stephen Colbert due to financial reasons pic.twitter.com/pVzRKJHPwK — Kay (@legendaarykay) July 17, 2025

Stephen Colbert, who took the reins from David Letterman on September 8, 2015, watched his show grow into a late-night powerhouse, often topping ratings and earning 33 Emmy nominations

As CBS prepares to wind down the franchise, the network faces a late-night void — with After Midnight also recently cancelled.