The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to end in May 2026

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026 after 33 years on air, the CBS television network announced in a surprise statement on Thursday.

The move "is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night [television]," and "is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters," CBS said.

The announcement comes two weeks after CBS parent company Paramount settled a lawsuit with President Donald Trump stemming from a CBS interview with his 2024 election rival Kamala Harris.

Host Stephen Colbert, a stern critic of Trump, broke the news at a taping earlier on Thursday evening, triggering a chorus of boos from the live studio audience.

Colbert has hosted many Democratic politicians during his tenure as host. Last month, he held a discussion with Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist leading the race to be New York City's next mayor.

The decision to cancel the programme comes as networks struggle to attract younger viewers, amid competition from online streamers and podcasts, along with increased costs of live television.

"We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire 'The Late Show' franchise," CBS said in its statement.

"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."

Rival broadcast networks, ABC and NBC, will continue to air their late-night talk shows.

ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! will continue taping in the fall, while NBC hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers have signed contracts to continue hosting The Tonight Show and Late Night until 2028, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Reacting to the news of the end of Colbett's show, Kimmel appeared to take aim at the network, posting on his Instagram story: "Love you Stephen. [Forget] you and all your Sheldons [a reference to the show Big Bang Theory] CBS."

Former Late Show band leader Jon Batiste described the outgoing talk show host as "the greatest to ever do it."

"My admiration and appreciation for you is bottomless," wrote filmmaker Judd Apatow. "Excited to see what other brilliance you put into the world."

"I am extremely sad. I adore you, Stephen," offered Snow White actress Rachel Zegler.

Severance star Adam Scott added: "Love you Stephen. This is absolute bull... and I for one am looking forward to the next 10 months of shows."

Actor and director Ben Stiller posted on X that he was "sorry to hear" CBS was "canceling one of the best shows they have.

"Wishing all the people who work so hard on that show all the best."