Last Late-Night Show with Stephen Colbert on May 21 - Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' to end in 2026 as CBS cites budget cuts
CBS has confirmed that 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' will end in May 2026. The network described the decision as purely financial, despite the show's steady ratings. Colbert himself has openly shared his disappointment about the news.
The official announcement came on July 17, 2025, with the final episode set for May 21, 2026—coinciding with the host's contract expiry. CBS stressed that the move was not linked to the programme's content, performance, or broader issues at Paramount. Instead, they pointed to a difficult late-night TV landscape as the reason.
Colbert has made it clear he will miss his colleagues the most. While he did not challenge the network's reasoning, his reluctance about the show's end has been evident. Meanwhile, some industry observers speculate that CBS may be softening its stance towards former U.S. President Donald Trump, a frequent target of Colbert's satire.
The host's departure marks the end of a long-running chapter in late-night television. CBS has not announced any replacement programming for the slot.
The final episode of 'The Late Show' will air on May 21, 2026, closing a decade-long run. Colbert's exit leaves a gap in CBS's late-night lineup, with no immediate successor named. The network maintains that budget pressures, not political considerations, drove the decision.
