The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to End in May 2026

After eleven seasons, CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will conclude in May 2026 [CBS News]. The decision marks the end of a late-night staple that has been a fixture on the network since 1993, though the current iteration with Colbert began in September 2015 [CBS].

Colbert’s Recent Defiance of CBS

The announcement comes amidst a period of tension between Colbert and CBS. Recently, Colbert publicly criticized the network for blocking an interview with U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico [CBS News]. Colbert circumvented the network’s decision by posting the full interview on YouTube, where it gained significant traction [CBS News].

Cancellation and Host’s Response

Following a weekend of reflection on the show’s impending cancellation, Colbert addressed the situation on Monday’s episode, expressing relief that he could “finally speak unvarnished truth to power and say what I really think about Donald Trump” [TIME]. He has since doubled down on criticism of Donald Trump and CBS itself, seemingly challenging the network to end the show prematurely [TIME].

Reasons for Cancellation

CBS initially characterized the decision to cancel The Late Show as “purely financial” [TIME]. Yet, speculation persists that political motivations may have played a role, particularly given the controversy surrounding the blocked interview [TIME].

Recent Broadcasts

On February 16, 2026, The Late Show featured guests Jennifer Garner and Robert Duvall [CBS].

Future of the Franchise

CBS plans to retire the Late Show franchise entirely after Colbert’s departure in May 2026 [CBS News]. The network has not yet announced plans for a replacement program.