Stephen Colbert Final Show Date Set as CBS Brings ‘The Late Show’ Era to a Close

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Stephen Colbert revealed when he’ll host his last show, bringing an end to a long and sometimes controversial run in late-night television.

As reported by Deadline, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will conclude its run on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Stephen Colbert began hosting the show in 2015 after David Letterman retired.

CBS had announced the show’s cancellation in July 2025, with plans to air the final episode in May 2026. The exact date was only recently revealed.

Colbert Announces the End on Rival Network

Stephen Colbert announced the last episode’s air date while on Late Night with Seth Meyers on NBC, January 27th. This followed a surprising decision by CBS to cancel the show months earlier, shaking up late-night television.

CBS immediately denied suggestions that political or editorial reasons influenced their decision. Executives stated it was solely a financial matter, explaining it was “just a financial decision made during a difficult time for late-night television.”

The network clarified that the show’s cancellation had nothing to do with its ratings, content, or anything else happening at Paramount.

These explanations came as many people were discussing the challenges facing traditional late-night TV. Concerns included falling profits, fewer people watching on regular television, and the high expense of paying popular hosts.

Cancellation Followed High-Profile Political Commentary

The decision to cancel the show raised questions because it happened so soon after Stephen Colbert publicly criticized Paramount Global – CBS’s owner – regarding their settlement with Donald Trump. Colbert had called the settlement a “big fat bribe” on his show, and that comment received a lot of media attention.

The news arrived just before David Ellison’s Skydance Media finalized its merger with Paramount, leading to more talk about potential changes to the company and possible budget cuts for its TV channels and other media properties.

Even after finding out his show would be cancelled, Colbert hasn’t stopped focusing on political topics and continues to share his opinions openly.

During a recent broadcast, he responded to an incident involving Border Patrol by saying, “I think everyone would agree: ICE is awful.”

He also made fun of President Trump’s “Board of Peace,” joking that paying a billion dollars to follow Trump’s instructions seemed like a lot, especially considering CBS only paid $16 million to do something similar.

Awards Recognition as Viewership Declines

Despite a decline in viewers, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert continues to win awards and recognition from the television industry.

The show received the Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series in September, even though it had already been canceled a few months earlier.

While accepting the award, Colbert expressed his gratitude to CBS for allowing his show to be a part of the late-night television tradition, and he voiced his hope that the tradition would continue for many years to come.

Stephen Colbert will also be honored with the Walter Bernstein Award by the Writers Guild of America East next month. His show is also still in the running for an Emmy later this year, where it will compete against Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The End of an Era—And a Symptom of a Bigger Problem

CBS claims the end of Stephen Colbert’s show is about adjusting its finances, not because of the show’s content. However, the cancellation actually shows how difficult things are becoming for late-night TV in general.

The genre, once a major part of American culture, has had a hard time staying popular with the rise of streaming and on-demand content, as younger viewers have stopped watching traditional TV. Stephen Colbert’s show also became more focused on political viewpoints over time, which limited its audience and made it appeal more to those who already agreed with his perspectives rather than offering entertainment for everyone.

When Stephen Colbert leaves The Late Show on May 21, 2026, it will represent more than just his departure. It will highlight the declining relevance of traditional late-night talk shows, which are struggling to attract viewers, maintain cultural impact, and remain profitable.

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2026-01-29 20:58