Stephen Colbert revealed Thursday night that his domination on the late show will end in 2026 as CBS shut down long-term plans amid wider financial restrictions on late-night TV, but of course, Donald Trump is involved in some way.
“I want you to know what you found last night. Next year will be our last season. The network will end the May party in May.” Colbert told the shocked studio audience, who responded with a gro whisper. “Yes! I share your feelings. It’s not just the end of our show. It’s the end of the post show on CBS. I’m not replaced. It’s all gone. I do want to say that the people at CBS are great companions.”
CBS confirmed that the program’s conclusions were strictly cost-driven decisions. The issue has nothing to do with ratings, content or legal disputes at the company, executives said.
“This is purely a financial decision in the context of late-night challenges,” the statement said. The network added: “We are proud of Stephen’s name as CBS home. He and the radio will be remembered in the pantheon of the great men who broadcast late-night television.”
Colbert joined the post-production chair in September 2015, replacing David Letterman, who held positions for more than two decades.
Prior to that, Colbert hosted Colbert’s report on Comedy Central for nearly a decade, keenly sarcastic about politics and the media since 2005. In his emotional announcement, Colbert expressed his gratitude to his team and supporters.
“I’m so grateful to Tiffany Network for giving me this chair and this beautiful theater to call home. Of course, I thank you, the audience, who have joined us every night. I’m so glad and responsible for sharing our work with you every day in front of this camera with you for the past decade.” “It’s an amazing job. I hope others get it. It’s something I look forward to doing with this usual idiot.”
CBS’ announcement coincides with the turbulent times of its parent company Paramount, which has settled a $16 million lawsuit filed by Donald Trump in a 60-minute interview involving Vice President Kamala Harris.
Paramount producers denied all wrongdoing, but Colbert publicly criticized the company’s leadership to pay Donald Trump.
The news also emerged in the $8.4 billion merger of Paramount and Skydance Media awaiting FCC approval, which demonstrates a broader industry transformation that has a direct impact on network programming.
The final episode of Stephen Colbert’s post-production show will air in May 2026.
