CBS has announced that it will be canceling “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in May 2026. The late-night talk show, hosted by comedian Stephen Colbert, has been airing on CBS since September 2015.
The news of the show’s cancellation came after a series of declining ratings and criticism from viewers. According to CBS, the decision to end the show was made in an effort to revamp their late-night lineup and attract a younger audience.
Colbert, who is also the executive producer of the show, took over as host after David Letterman’s retirement. Since then, the show has received multiple Emmy nominations and has been consistently ranked as one of the top late-night talk shows.
Fans of the show have expressed their surprise and disappointment at the news of its cancellation. Many have taken to social media to share their reactions, with some expressing puzzlement and others expressing anger.
In an interview with The New York Times, Colbert addressed the cancellation and thanked CBS for giving him the opportunity to host the show. He also acknowledged that the decision was a business one and that he was grateful for the time he had on air.
The cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” follows a trend of changes in the late-night talk show landscape. In recent years, there has been a shift towards more diverse and younger hosts, including Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” and “Late Night,” respectively.
This move by CBS could also be seen as a response to the growing popularity of streaming services and online content. With platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube providing a vast array of entertainment options, traditional broadcast television is facing increasing competition.
In addition to the cancellation of “The Late Show,” CBS also announced that they will be ending their daytime talk show “The Talk” in July 2022. This decision has been met with similar reactions from fans, with many expressing their disappointment and shock.
As for Colbert, he still has five more years to entertain audiences on “The Late Show.” While the show’s end may be bittersweet, fans can still look forward to many more episodes of Colbert’s signature wit and humor.
CBS has not yet announced what will replace “The Late Show” and “The Talk” in their lineup. However, with the changing landscape of late-night TV and the rise of digital media, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the network.