The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Signs Off With Historic Ratings

Television history was made on Thursday night as The Late Show With Stephen Colbert concluded its decade-long run at the Ed Sullivan Theater. The final broadcast drew a massive audience of 6.74 million viewers, according to preliminary Nielsen data, marking the show’s most-watched weeknight episode since its inception.

A Final Bow for a Late-Night Staple

The finale’s viewership represents a significant surge compared to the program’s first-quarter average of 2.69 million viewers in 2026. This closing performance even narrowly surpassed the 6.55 million viewers who tuned in for the show’s series premiere in 2015, solidifying Colbert’s enduring impact on the late-night landscape.

The evening was defined by a star-studded guest list and musical tributes. While Paul McCartney served as the official final guest, the stage was graced by a parade of familiar faces, including Jon Stewart, Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, the Strike Force Five ensemble, and Neil deGrasse Tyson. The musical highlight of the night featured McCartney performing a rendition of the Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye” alongside Elvis Costello, former bandleader Jon Batiste, and current bandleader Louis Cato.

Reflecting on a Decade of Late Night

In his final monologue, Colbert took a moment to look back at his evolution as a host. Referencing his roots at The Colbert Report, he noted the shift in his approach to the news. “On night one of the Colbert Report, I said, ‘Anyone can read the news to you. I promise to feel the news at you.’ And I realized pretty soon that our job over here was different. We were here to feel the news with you, and I don’t know about you, but I sure have felt it,” Colbert told the audience.

The Context Behind the Curtain

The conclusion of the series comes less than a year after CBS announced the decision to end the program. In August 2025, the network attributed the cancellation to financial considerations. At the time of the announcement, the industry was closely watching parent company Paramount as it worked to finalize a merger with Skydance Media. The cancellation also followed a period of tension, during which Colbert publicly criticized Paramount regarding a $16 million settlement involving Donald Trump, characterizing the deal as “a sizeable, fat bribe.”

Key Takeaways from the Finale

• Record-Breaking Audience: The finale reached 6.74 million viewers, the highest for a weeknight episode in the show’s history.
• Star-Studded Send-off: The final episode featured appearances by Paul McCartney, Jon Stewart, and several other notable guests.
• A Musical Legacy: The show concluded with a high-profile performance of the Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye.”
• Strategic Conclusion: The series ended following a decision by CBS in 2025, amidst broader corporate shifts at Paramount.

As the Ed Sullivan Theater clears, the industry remains focused on the shifting landscape of late-night television. Colbert’s ability to draw such a significant audience for his final bow serves as a testament to the continued relevance of the format in an era of fragmented media consumption.