CBS has introduced it should finish “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” after the subsequent TV season, calling it a “monetary choice.” This marks the tip of many years of authentic late-night programming on CBS, which started when David Letterman moved from NBC in 1993. The community says the choice is about cash, as producing late-night reveals has develop into costlier, and youthful viewers more and more watch content material on-line as a substitute of stay TV.
In a press release, CBS executives mentioned, “We think about Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and can retire ‘The Late Show’ franchise in Might of 2026. We’re proud that Stephen referred to as CBS residence. He and the printed shall be remembered within the pantheon of greats that graced late evening tv. That is purely a monetary choice towards a difficult backdrop in late evening. It shouldn’t be associated in any method to the present’s efficiency, content material or different issues taking place at Paramount.”
Colbert discovered in regards to the choice the evening earlier than the announcement. At Thursday’s taping, he advised the viewers, “It is a improbable job. I want someone else was getting it.” When the group booed, he responded, “Yeah, I share your emotions. It’s not simply the tip of our present, nevertheless it’s the tip of ‘The Late Show’ on CBS. I’m not being changed. That is all simply going away.”
Whereas CBS factors to monetary causes, many suspect there are political components concerned, particularly associated to President Donald Trump. Each Colbert and Jon Stewart, who hosts a weekly episode of Comedy Central’s “Every day Show,” have been identified for his or her sharp criticism of Trump of their monologues and commentary.
Executives at Skydance Media, the corporate planning to purchase Paramount World (CBS’s mother or father firm), are mentioned to be watching these reveals carefully. David Ellison, the pinnacle of Skydance, is rumored to have a political curiosity aligned extra with Trump’s views.
California Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat, weighed in on social media after taping a “Late Show” episode, saying, “If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political causes, the general public deserves to know. And deserves higher.”
Simply completed taping with Stephen Colbert who introduced his present was cancelled.
If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political causes, the general public deserves to know. And deserves higher.
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) July 17, 2025
CBS has already been scaling again its late-night efforts. It just lately canceled “After Midnight,” a late-night present following “The Late Show” starring comic Taylor Tomlinson, who left to deal with stand-up comedy regardless of CBS wanting one other season.
The reality is that late-night TV is struggling to maintain younger viewers preferring streaming and on-demand content material. Hosts like Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Colbert nonetheless appeal to massive audiences and generate buzz on-line, however fewer individuals watch these reveals stay. Networks have reduce episodes, and no late-night host now airs on Fridays, with Fallon’s “Tonight Show” giving up the final Friday slot.
CBS’s choice shocked many business insiders as a result of fashionable hosts often announce their departures throughout Might “upfront” conferences with advertisers. These occasions assist construct pleasure for the ultimate season. For instance, Johnny Carson introduced his exit from NBC’s “Tonight Show” at an upfront occasion in 1991, and David Letterman’s farewell was celebrated at a CBS occasion at Carnegie Corridor.
Different networks proceed to spend money on late-night. NBC just lately secured massive advertisers like Allstate and T-Cellular to help the fiftieth season of “Saturday Night time Stay.” They’re additionally selling a brand new present that includes Jimmy Fallon referred to as “On Model,” the place Fallon markets merchandise.
Stephen Colbert’s time on “The Late Show” has been notable. When he took over in 2015, he needed to depart behind the conservative character he performed on Comedy Central and develop into extra genuine on-air. His early months confronted powerful comparisons to James Corden’s “Late Late Show,” which centered extra on video games and skits.
However Colbert discovered his stride in the course of the 2016 Election Night time particular on Showtime. After Donald Trump’s surprising win, Colbert leaned closely into sharp, topical humor. His scores rose, and “The Late Show” turned one of many most-watched late-night applications on TV.
The query stays: Is CBS actually towards scores, or is the price of producing the present too excessive in an period when streaming steals viewers away from conventional TV? To fill the empty 12:30 a.m. slot, CBS plans to air reruns of a syndicated comedy roundtable hosted by media entrepreneur Byron Allen. What comes subsequent after “The Late Show” stays unknown.
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