In a surprising turn of events, CBS has announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will officially come to an end in May 2026. The decision, according to the network, is based purely on financial reasons and not related to the show’s performance or content.
Stephen Colbert, who has been the face of the show since 2015, expressed his shock on air, saying he was informed just a day earlier. The announcement drew disappointment from fans, as The Late Show has consistently led late-night ratings, averaging 2.4 million viewers per night and remaining the top-rated show in its slot for nine consecutive seasons.
CBS executives cited rising production costs and a changing media landscape as the main reasons behind the closure. The network is under growing pressure amid a planned $8.4 billion merger between its parent company, Paramount Global, and Skydance.
The decision has also sparked political concerns. US lawmakers, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff, have questioned whether the show’s cancellation might be politically motivated, as Colbert was vocal in his criticism of the network’s settlement with former President Donald Trump.
Despite the controversy, CBS thanked Colbert and his team for their contribution and confirmed the show will continue until next May. After decades of late-night programming, this marks the end of an era for the network, which previously hosted David Letterman’s Late Show before Colbert took the reins.
With the curtain closing on one of television’s most influential talk shows, viewers now await to see what CBS will bring to its late-night slot next.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.
